Jenny Powell, MD

I was born and raised in central Illinois, where I lived until 2006. A small town girl, I married my high school sweetheart, the homecoming king, after attending the University of Illinois for one year as a Pre-Journalism major. I knew that wasn't the direction I was meant to go, but uncertain about my true calling, I married and had children.

I worked several different jobs – receptionist for a privately owned aviation company, receptionist for a loan company, bank teller, and an assistant manager for a retail shop. I taught Sunday School, directed church choirs, and raised a couple of children.

When I was 30 years old, God called me to become a physician. I suppose after years of telling Him I'll do what you want me to do, I'll be what you want me to be, He decided to give me a whopper of a goal. But I followed His direction with the faith of Abraham, went back to college, graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in Microbiology, attended the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, Illinois and then trained at the Southern Illinois University Family Practice Residency in Decatur, Illinois.

I graduated from there at age 41, amazed that God had blazed the trail for me. I worked in Clinton, Illinois for the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis (OSF), and served the people of Dewitt County, Illinois for four years.

In order to find suitable farm land for my husband's growing herd of meat goats we turned our eyes to the Ozarks. In August of 2006 I accepted a position with St. John's Clinic (now Mercy Clinic) in Lebanon, Missouri and we moved to one of the most beautiful places in this country. I have learned to listen to God's call, and follow the direction He leads me. I felt Him encourage me to get out of the insurance business, as frustration grew over the presence of not just the insurance company but also the federal government in the private room where I attempt to serve my patients.