Dr. Brandi Nichols recalls the morning walks she took with her mother, especially when her mom would talk about her job as a nurse.
"I knew even before high school I wanted to be in the medical field, and in high school I knew I wanted to be a doctor," Nichols said.
Nichols recently competed her residency at the University of Missouri, where she also earned her bachelor's degree in biology and medical degree, she is now the newest physician to join the Women's Clinic of JCMG.
An Ashland native, it was important to both Nichols and her husband, Jeff, also an Ashland native, that they stay close to home.
"We both knew we always wanted to stay close to our families," she said.
It was in her third year of medical school that Nichols decided obstetrics and gynecology was the specialty for her.
"I am able to do a variety of procedural, yearly care and follow pregnant women," she said.
Working with women in varying stages of life has been great. Nichols said she has noted as a female that younger women seem to find it easier to relate to her.
"Older generations choices were much more limited. It does seem to me that younger patients seem to feel more at ease with a female provider," she said.
While she loves all aspects of her job, she especially loves taking care of pregnant women and seeing them progress through pregnancy and to delivery of their little bundles of joy.
"Delivery is almost always a very happy occasion," she said. "It is great to be a part of that to help them, to guide them in making decisions and choices along the way."
Nichols is a mother to two young sons, Blake and Kaleb, and says her busy work days present challenges she loves. "I love the day-to-day changes and the challenges I face. I love not knowing what each day at work will bring. Finding answers and giving the best care is my job, no matter how easy or complex the issue.
"I love my job and I never thought of doing anything else."