Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Jayroe
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After 13 years of working in pediatric ERs and urgent care, I’ve developed a passion for caring for sick children. Although my training is in traditional medicine, in recent years I’ve shifted toward a more holistic, patient-centered approach, focusing more on educating and empowering parents to play an active role in their child’s health care. The restrictions of corporate guidelines and insurance-based care models make it difficult to practice the way I wanted in a conventional setting, and I knew convenient local pediatric sick/urgent care options were somewhat limited, so I decided to open my own practice.
With Virtual Pediatrics, I offer an integrative approach to pediatric sick care, encouraging supportive care and natural remedies, but also leaning into conventional medicine when needed. As a cash-based practice, I can spend more time with patients, get to know families, and be available for follow-up questions. My virtual visits allow me to treat children across Tennessee from home, and I also offer house calls for sick visits in Collierville and Germantown. I can provide various rapid testing, electronic prescriptions, and school notes.
In addition to sick care, I offer functional services for ongoing issues like acne, constipation, eczema, and gut problems. Recently, I have partnered with Integrative Pediatrics in Collierville to offer in-person sick visits, and we are hoping to work together to offer in-home newborn evaluations, keeping babies safe from germy waiting rooms. Eventually, I plan to also offer functional health coaching for busy moms to help them optimize their energy and well-being, allowing them to fully enjoy motherhood.
My passion for medicine started early. Growing up, my grandfather was a family physician, and I loved hanging out in his rural health clinic. I volunteered at a hospital in high school and loved the fast-paced ER environment. After earning my nursing degree, I worked as a nurse in the ER at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and after completing my advanced practice degree, I worked as a Nurse Practitioner in the ER at Baptist Children’s Hospital, where I still occasionally work a shift to keep up my skills and stay in the know.
The ER will always be my first love, but after having my baby (who is now a toddler), I wanted to spend more time at home with her and have a better work-life balance, which I have been able to achieve with Virtual Pediatrics, and for that, I am so grateful!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I started Virtual Pediatrics, I had absolutely no experience with running a business—it was a steep learning curve!
Originally, I envisioned it as a completely virtual practice, which is how it got its name. However, I occasionally started doing house calls for friends and neighbors, and word about that spread naturally. Before I knew it, the demand for local house calls grew, and my “virtual” practice evolved into a hybrid model. It’s been an unexpected but wonderful shift, and I truly love the balance of both virtual and in-person care!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I absolutely love and cherish the work I do, providing house calls and virtual visits for sick kids. It’s an incredibly fulfilling experience, and I feel so grateful for the opportunity to serve my community in this way.
I understand how hard it can be for parents to gather their kids, disrupt their routines, and make it to a doctor’s office on time—only to sit in a busy waiting room, then wait again in an exam room, for what often turns out to be just a quick 5–10 minute visit. In that short time, there’s rarely an opportunity for detailed education, answers to complex questions, or follow-up support, let alone a chance to build a meaningful connection with the provider.
That’s why I love being able to offer a service that’s not only convenient but also personal and tailored to each family’s needs. I get to step into their world—whether through a virtual visit or by visiting your home—and provide care in a way that works best for them and their little ones.
I treasure the moments I spend with my patients and their families. I’ve had long, heartwarming chats with fellow moms, examined ears in backyards, and listened to tiny lungs while kids are snuggled up in their beds. I get to see their family photos, meet their pets, and truly feel like part of their world for a little while. Sometimes, I even leave with baked goods, drawings, and other little treasures that remind me how special this work truly is.
It’s a privilege to do what I do, and I’m so thankful for the trust my families place in me to care for their children. Supporting families in this way is not just a job—it’s a joy and an honor.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The COVID-19 pandemic taught me a lot, both professionally and personally. One of the biggest lessons was how much it helped to normalize virtual medical care. Before the pandemic, I wouldn’t have considered virtual visits to be a viable business opportunity. Now, it’s become a vital way to provide accessible, convenient care to families, and I’ve seen firsthand how effective it can be.
On a broader level, the pandemic underscored the importance of maintaining good health and building resilience. It reminded me how critical it is to prioritize the basics: eating well, getting fresh air and sunlight, staying active, fostering meaningful human connections, managing stress, sleeping well, and understanding how to support our immune systems and manage illness holistically. These lessons are foundational to both my personal life and the way I approach care for my patients and their families.
Pricing:
- Virtual Visits (anywhere in Tennessee) $55
- House Calls (Collierville/Germantown) $110
- Functional Consultation $225
- Personalized Immune Support Regimen $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thevirtualpediatrics.com/
- Instagram: @virtualpediatricsoftn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550932254431
