Orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Reese (Biology ’14) begins his days before the sun rises. On operating room (OR) days at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, TN, he’s out the door by 5:45 a.m., but on clinic days at Associated Orthopedics by 6:45 a.m. Once in his vehicle, Reese settles in for a 30-minute commute, cruising along country roads. He listens to sermon podcasts, preparing his heart and mind to care for his patients.
“My medical career wasn’t something I searched for, rather it was a series of doors that God continued to open,” Dr. Reese shared. “I feel like God just gradually prepared me for the next step. From college and medical school to residency and a spine fellowship, He revealed the next step in His perfect timing.”
Making the Rounds
When he arrives at the medical center, Dr. Reese meets with his first patient of the day and their accompanying family members. Making sure his patient is ready for the procedure, Dr. Reese makes it his practice to lead in a word of prayer. “The natural high stakes of spine surgery often make even the non-believer willing to at least consider the fact that God exists,” he said. “I offer to pray with each patient before surgery, and this offer rarely is rejected.”
Meanwhile as the anesthesia team prepares for the operation, Dr. Reese takes the time to visit recovering patients, complete pertinent reports, and confirm all necessary surgical equipment is gathered. Then he heads into the OR. Depending on the type of surgery on the docket, procedures could take anywhere between 30 minutes to 10 hours. “I treat a variety of spine conditions ranging from pediatric to adult spinal deformities, spinal tumors, degenerative spine conditions, and a variety of spine fractures,” Dr. Reese explained. “I provide both nonoperative and operative management of these spine conditions.”
“The natural high stakes of spine surgery often make even the non-believer willing to at least consider the fact that God exists.”
Throughout the day, Dr. Reese consistently circles back to the family members awaiting surgery success, paperwork, a recovering patient, and continues on to the next surgery as necessary. And always at the end of his shift, he’ll check on his patients before heading home.
In the evenings when he is back with his family, Dr. Reese will take his daughter, Gracie, and their golden retriever outside to play, walk, or ride their tractor.
Valuable Influence
When Dr. Reese was five, his family moved to a property with acres of land. “Growing up on a farm was one of the best experiences for me,” he said. Reese was also homeschooled with his two older brothers. “It wasn’t something my parents set out to do (I think they just took it one year at a time),” he added. “It’s not for everyone, but I loved it.” As he grew older, summer employment for Jeffrey involved construction and AC duct work to fund his undergraduate degree at Pensacola Christian College. He can still remember helping his dad around the farm on Saturdays while studying organic chemistry on the tractor, raking and baling hay.
“My dad is a walking witness, and he masterfully weaves the gospel into those encounters.”
According to Jeffrey, the individuals who encouraged and inspired him the most would include his parents: PCC history professor Dr. John Reese and elementary education instructor Beth Reese. “I have such incredible respect for both my mom and dad,” Jeffrey Reese admitted. “And I’m so thankful for their investment in me.” Their examples of hard work and ability to recognize opportunities to share the gospel with just about anyone challenges their son to keep souls at the forefront of his medical practice. “From the gas station to the checkout line at Steak ‘n Shake, my dad is a walking witness, and he masterfully weaves the gospel into those encounters. That level of priority and the ability to weave the gospel into a conversation is what I try to accomplish.”
Prepared for His Practice
As an undergrad, Jeffrey Reese studied biology with a minor in English. “[My major] allowed me to obtain the core classes to prepare me for the MCAT at that time,” he commented. “Additionally, I was able to diversify my education with an English minor. I leaned heavily on the skills I learned in Advanced Grammar and Composition for the medical literature I wrote throughout my training.”
Courses like organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and cell biology—requiring appropriate preparation and volume of information—laid a foundation for Reese to succeed in medical school. After graduating from PCC, Reese pursued his MD, completed a five-year residency in orthopedic surgery, and spent a year in a spine fellowship. For part of his time in fellowship, Dr. Reese was able to fill the role of assistant professor. “I helped teach medical students and residents with spine-related didactics and cadaver labs,” he explained.
“I view my 4 years at PCC as absolutely critical to equipping me for spiritual challenges I faced over the next 10 years of my medical training, and even now in practice and everyday life.”
“What’s probably [most] important was the spiritual preparation I received from the College,” he shared. “It’s tough to beat the daily saturation with the Bible and other spiritual matters during my time at PCC. I view my 4 years at PCC as absolutely critical to equipping me for spiritual challenges I faced over the next 10 years of my medical training and even now in practice and everyday life.”
Since July 2024, Dr. Reese has made strides to develop a spine division in his orthopedic group. This effort comes with “growing pains and meetings and such to develop a good spine practice—and a ton of spine referrals.” Today Reese has the opportunity to influence future doctors as they spend part of their rotations with him in the clinic or the OR. “It was voluntary to take on that role, but I’ve had some great med students,” Reese added. “It’s been a great opportunity and I’m thankful for it.”
Balancing What He Loves
Usually after supper with his family, as another busy day draws to a close, Dr. Reese calls his patients in their hospital rooms to make sure they are tucked away for the night. With three days of clinical practice and two days in the operating room, Dr. Jeffrey Reese also juggles additional trauma calls that keep his schedule unpredictable. “My wife, Hannah (Nursing ’13), has been incredible at dealing with these challenges as well, and she does an incredible job with our daughter,” he said.
While dealing with spine conditions and issues can be at times dramatic, diagnosing the issue, addressing it, and witnessing the patient regain mobility also provides gratification. “Without a doubt, my favorite aspect is developing relationships with patients and seeing them improve with spine surgery,” he said. Dr. Reese and his team continue to stay connected to recovering patients through the Christmas cards, thank-you notes, and life updates they receive.
“I believe that each opportunity, even if it’s brief, such as a prayer in the pre-op suite, can be a witness for God.”
The types of relationships that Dr. Reese develops in his field are surely a highlight as he works with many patients and strives to improve their quality of life. “Few experiences surpass seeing patients reclaim a bit of their life and the independence they’ve lost,” Reese shared. “Additionally, I believe spine surgery offers an excellent opportunity to share the gospel. I believe that each opportunity, even if it’s brief, such as a prayer in the pre-op suite, can be a witness for God. Furthermore, I hope it helps embolden Christian patients regarding their faith.”
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.