Disability gives alum, residency director special connection to patients and her field

By Amanda Kowaleski

Born without bones in her left hand, Jessica Hupe, M.D., understands the unique challenges facing rehabilitation patients. She went through more than 30 reconstructive surgeries by age 9, plus physical and occupational therapy. Those experiences didn’t stop her from dreaming big.

“My family shares an attitude that we all have challenges in our lives. The more you embrace them, the more you’ll be able to accomplish,” said Hupe, an associate professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the medical director of Multispecialty Rehabilitation at Sheltering Arms Institute, a collaboration with VCU Health. 

Hupe remembers her doctors encouraging her to push herself and assuring her that her situation would get better. Their support inspired her to become a physician herself. She said she feels particularly connected to patients who are amputees. She’s able to share with them how she adapted as a congenital amputee and demonstrate how she puts her hair up or ties her shoes.

“Patients come in and have so many questions. I reassure them, ‘We’re going to do this together. We’re going to show you the ways to accomplish the things you want to do.’”

‘Everyone has obstacles to overcome – it’s just how visible they are to other people’

One way Hupe pushed herself was by playing sports, eventually becoming a Division I collegiate athlete in soccer and basketball at Eastern Michigan University. Due to her busy practice and game schedule, she opted to pursue a degree in secondary education, despite carrying a dream of becoming a physician. Hupe went on to teach science and coach soccer, but later found her way back to medicine and – after completing additional coursework – earned her degree from the VCU School of Medicine in 2014.

“Throughout medical school, I went to different lectures to try to find where I fit in the world, and I ran across physical medicine and rehab. I thought, ‘This is it. This is how I can give back.’”

Hupe credits her lifelong love of sports with providing an important skillset – working in a team. It’s something she said is vital in such an interdisciplinary field, since patients often need a variety of services from specialists such as occupational therapists, case managers, speech therapists and recreational therapists.

“Dr. Hupe stood out in her approach to communications with patients, families and staff, a key attribute within our specialty field, which emphasizes a team approach,” said William O. McKinley, M.D., a professor emeritus in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation who led the residency program prior to Hupe. 

‘Bringing a warm and welcoming attitude matters’

What Hupe didn’t expect as a physician was how much she would still be able to teach. In her role as an associate professor, residency program director and the department’s vice chair of education, she also brings positivity, resilience and encouragement to her students.

“I really love having the opportunity to teach. Shaping the next generation is something that's made this role even more fulfilling,” said Hupe, who holds the Carl W. LaFratta, M.D., Professorship, named in honor of a 1931 alum of the Medical College of Virginia. 

Made possible by private gifts from donors, endowed professorships help attract and retain renowned clinicians and teachers to the MCV Campus. For Hupe, the professorship provided her with dedicated time to focus on creating the schedules, rotations and experiences that will best advance the education of the department’s residents.

It also solidified her commitment to the university.

“The support system at VCU is phenomenal,” she said. “I want to stay here for the rest of my career and hopefully bring in a lot of other very talented physicians. Through the help of the endowment, I can really prioritize education and how much we invest in our trainees to help them become the best physicians they can be.”

To support the Carl W. LaFratta, M.D., Professorship, make a gift online or contact Andrew Hartley, senior director of development, at aphartle@vcu.edu or (804) 628-5312.

This story was originally published on the School of Medicine’s website.