(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Columbia Family Dental administrative assistant Jessica Roe.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born April 24, 1987 in Jackson.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to Vilonia High School in Arkansas. I attended Pearl River Community College and graduated as a certified dental assistant.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I just recently got promoted as the administrative assistant. I take care of all of the insurance claims and answer any questions anyone may have. I make sure the claims go out, get paid and come back. I make sure everything is ready for the next day, making sure all of the insurance information is correct. I basically make sure everybody is happy and things run smoothly.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I’ve always been interested in teeth, but when I got here I realized my brain was little bit more programmed towards this kind of stuff.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: The challenges. Every day is not the same. The people I work with make me happy. I love it here. It’s perfect.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: The most challenging is making sure the insurances pay when they’re supposed to instead of not paying. That’s the hardest part, fighting with insurance companies. You have to send so much stuff to get them to actually pay.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: Always be prepared for any situation that may occur. Always at least try to have something prepared even if you don’t know what it is. I have two small kids, and that makes you have to be prepared no matter what. If anything happens like a patient is upset, you have to be prepared to answer immediately. You have to know in the back of your brain what you’re going to say, what happens and how you’re going to explain certain stuff. You have to be ready.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A veterinarian. I would still love to be a vet, but I waited too long to go back to school and then I had children. Right now I’m happy where I’m at.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked in a bakery. It was awesome. I got to test the cookies.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My great-grandfather, F.M. Sylvest, my parents, Melissa and Bryon Wascomb, of course and a lady, Mimi Ghormley, in Arkansas who was amazing.
Q: What is your spouse’s name?
A: Billy Roe. He works at Toyota in Hattiesburg.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have two boys. Tripp is 5, and Ashyr is 3.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: I would have to say a steak cooked medium well from Longhorn Steakhouse. Not too raw but not too burnt.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I would go to Ireland. I’ve always been interested with the scenery and the people there. It just seems like a place I would love to go. I’ve already went to Alaska, which was my No. 1 place to go.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I scrapbook a lot, read and take the kids on buggy rides through the woods.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: The small-town atmosphere. Everybody seems to know everybody in a way, but it’s not too small that they know your business as well.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My papaw, F.M. Sylvest, and my granny, Wilda Sylvest. They were very influential. I’d like them to meet my kids; my grandpa never got to meet my kids.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: I’m a farm girl at heart so I’d like to live on a farm. I’m not a city gal. I’d rather be on a ranch and enjoy the day. I’m very simple.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: The first time becoming a parent because I realized my life would never be the same.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you’ve never tried?
A: Travel the world and visit wherever I want to go.
Q: Using one word for each, what are your top three morals?
A: Trustworthiness, loyalty and honesty.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I would like to be remembered as an awesome, funny person. I would hope I’d be remembered as a good person.
— Joshua Campbell
Picture Above: Columbia Family Dental’s Jessica Roe was recently promoted to administrative assistant. She said she loves working with her coworkers and that her job is perfect for her. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
