Meet the Neighbors: Dr. Jessica Udeogu

Photo courtesy of Dr. Jessica Udeogu

Job: Health Care Clinic Doctor

Employer: Baptist Health Family Clinic - Rose City

Hometown: Carrollton, Texas

Neighborhood: North Little Rock

Dr. Jessica Udeogu found her way from Carrollton, Texas, to Arkansas with a purpose, and today she’s helping fill a vital health care gap in North Little Rock. 

“I started thinking about moving here when I interviewed for a program here, as I was looking for a residency,” Dr. Udeogu said, “… I matched and completed my Family Medicine Residency training. I planned to move back home to North Texas, but stayed because of this new clinic [Baptist Health Family Clinic‑Rose City] opportunity.”

That steady sense of purpose has shaped Dr. Udeogu’s professional journey from the beginning. 

“I wanted to be a doctor for most of my life,” she said. “It was a challenging journey, and it was not linear. I was fortunate to have support from family and friends as I pursued this career. It takes a lot of sacrifice.” 

Those years of training ultimately drew her to family medicine, an area where she could care for people over time and build relationships that feel less like appointments and more like partnerships.

The heart of her work remains rooted in the people she serves. 

“Of course, it is my patients. I appreciate how they allowed me to earn their trust and be a part of their health care team,” Dr. Udeogu said. 

That relationship-centered philosophy is woven into her role at the new Baptist Health Family Clinic-Rose City, where she is helping reopen access to care in a part of North Little Rock that has gone more than a decade without a clinic.

Located at 4200 E. Washington Ave., the clinic is the first in the neighborhood since the previous site burned down in 2013. As local leaders and health care partners discussed how to address the gap, Dr. Udeogu stepped into the opportunity. 

“I am excited to have been given the opportunity to meet a community need,” Dr. Udeogu said. “The Mayor of NLR grew up in the area and shared his vision about opening a clinic in Rose City.” 

While her career brought her to Arkansas, the state quickly became much more than a place to train. 

“There are so many activities to do here (kayaking, hiking) and I love the landscape. I have enjoyed how everything is within 15 minutes with minimal traffic. So different from the DFW area,” Dr. Udeogu said. 

Beyond medicine, she embraces life in Central Arkansas through creativity and music. “The live music scene here has been so nice,” Dr. Udeogu said. “There are so many talented musicians here. And I also play soccer on a rec team at Burns Park. I have been playing since elementary school and love it.” 

And when she’s not outdoors or at a match, she’s often at her favorite spot: “I have so many favorites. It is hard to choose. If I have to, it is Cypress Social. They have great quality food and amazing cocktails…” Dr. Udeogu said.

She also found her inner circle through medical training. “I have found a community with my Arkansan co-residents,” Dr. Udeogu said. “After we finished medical training, many of us stayed local, and I’ve been learning and exploring the area ever since. I still haven’t made it to Northwest Arkansas.”