Dr. Jessi Gold, MD, MS, is a mental health advocate, psychiatrist, and now, author of the upcoming book How Do You Feel?, set to release in October 2024. As the new Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee System and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UT Health Science Center, Jessi brings her passion for wellness and mental health to Memphis, aiming to make a lasting impact on the healthcare community and the city.
Why Jessi Chose Memphis
In February 2024, Jessi made the move from St. Louis to Memphis to take on a role she was thrilled about. “I was drawn to the University of Tennessee System’s commitment to wellness at the highest levels,” she says. “The opportunity to do good here is endless.” Aside from work, Jessi has embraced Memphis’ dynamic culture. “The people, the music, the food—it’s all incredible. My neighbors even threw me a welcome party!”
Fighting Burnout & Promoting Wellness
Jessi’s passion for tackling burnout in healthcare workers didn’t come by choice—it’s an issue she’s been drawn to since she first observed students struggling in pre-med. “I started studying the culture of pre-med and noticed how it affected mental health,” she recalls. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Jessi was already well-versed in the mental health challenges facing healthcare workers.
“COVID didn’t create the mental health crisis in healthcare—it just exposed it,” Jessi explains. Now, as a wellness leader for the UT System, she’s working to address these issues on a larger scale.
Her Upcoming Book: How Do You Feel?
In her debut book, How Do You Feel?, Jessi dives into the emotional complexities faced by healthcare workers. The book, set to release on October 8, 2024, weaves her personal experiences with those of her patients, aiming to spark a much-needed conversation about mental health in the medical field.
“I wanted to give voice to those who may feel alone in their struggles,” Jessi shares. How Do You Feel? is both a personal journey and a call to shift the mental health culture in healthcare and beyond.
Memphians can join Dr. Gold at Novel Bookstore on October 10 for a conversation with Jamila Smith Young on World Mental Health Day. You can also preorder her book today!
