Wednesday's Woman: Dr. Hope Mitchell

Dr. Hope Mitchell is from rural Georgia, not many people she knew were doctors. 

In fact, she's the first in her family to get into medicine. And, there was just one person she could look to who was doing what she wanted to do -- the family doctor. 

He took care of his patients, had a personal relationship with them, and he was a pillar in the community, Mitchell remembered.

"I saw how he was a leader in the community, as well as providing care to everyone in my family, so I appreciated that and saw myself being able to do the same thing," Mitchell said.

In middle school and high school, she tried her hand at anything medical she could find. And, by college it was cemented. She would be a doctor. She received her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine.

Attending school in Boston was challenging. Not only was all of her family here in Georgia, but Mitchell also worked as a researcher to help pay for her education.

But, now, this 33-year-old Snellville resident is a family practitioner at Kaiser Permanente. The facility she works at also is in Snellville, off of U.S. Highway 78.

In her doctor duties, she tries to emulate what her family physician did all those years ago.

"I try to reassure them No. 1 that this is their body, their temple, so you got to take care of it," she said. 

And, she tries to make the visits personalized, so patients actually will come back to be treated and that when they get home that they will work on their health.

"That's the key a lot of times," Mitchell said.

Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke are among the medical conditions she focuses on with her patients.

In addition to working a Kaiser Permanente, Mitchell also helps with Helping Hands Outreach, a nonprofit in Rockdale County that provides medical care to at-risk children, low-income families and those who are uninsured or underinsured. She's been helping out there for about two years.

The patients, she added, are truly appreciated of the medical help and personal attention. At Helping Hands, they are able to get assistance with many chronic conditions.

"You got people who are on 11 medicines, and they don’t have any jobs so they can't get health insurance," Mitchell said.

When Mitchell isn't treating her patients in Snellville or Rockdale County, she likes spending time with her family, hanging out with her bichon frise, Bianca, sporting events.

She also enjoys living in the place where she works, Snellville. She likes her neighbors, the proximity to Atlanta, and the parks that the area offers. "I think everybody kind of knows everyone."

Now, that she's in the position of her life -- enjoying it, giving back and living her dream as a doctor -- Mitchell also credits her family with their help along the way. Her mother, "a renaissance woman," and her brother, a military veteran, have been lasting inspirations, she said. 

She's able to use her family support and education to make a difference in the lives of her patients.

"You just have to be able to tell people what's going on, and hopefully, they’ll be receptive, and that’s how change comes about."