A Remarkable Woman: Dr. Kerri Woodberry

Each week during March, which is Women’s History Month, WBOY 12 News and Homefinders Plus Real Estate are honoring remarkable women who have not only made a difference in West Virginia but also across the country. This week’s honoree is WVU Medicine’s Kerri Woodberry, MD.

According to the WBOY article: “Dr. Woodberry is the first Black woman in the country to receive the title of Division Chief of Plastic Surgery, which she gained when she started working at West Virginia University five years ago. Six months later, she also became the Residency Program director.

“However, when asked about her title, Dr. Woodberry told 12 News that she does not focus on it, but rather on being a role model for other people who have not historically seen people who look like them in different roles and places.

“She recounted a time when she was going into medical school, wanting to be a surgeon, and a mentor told her she could not be a surgeon, a woman, and have a family. While that was hard for her to hear, she did it anyway.

“‘I think being a woman surgeon is number one, something that many women aspire to – but to see someone like them in that role and knowing that it’s possible is really important to get that message out to young girls,’ Dr. Woodberry said.”

The WBOY article continues: “Not only does she help patients who need surgery, but she loves to participate in teaching the next generation of surgeons. While she teaches directly out of WVU, she also travels around the country to teach other medical students who do not have residency programs at their home institutions. Dr. Woodberry provides those students with resources, teaches them about plastic surgery, helps them to understand what it’s all about, and gives them an opportunity to learn how to navigate the course into plastic surgery. Every time she comes back from those trips, she has four or five students that she will set up individual meetings with to start the mentoring process early.

“Dr. Woodberry treats patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon injuries, and cancer, treating every patient and student she meets like family. However, breast cancer patients fill a special role in her heart, as her father passed away from cancer about 10 years ago. Dr. Woodberry told 12 News that every year, she helps in hosting an event for breast cancer survivors back in Tennessee to show them how important and special they are.

“Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Woodberry grew up in a faith-based family where it was really important to give back. She is always looking for opportunities to help others, whether it is through surgery, teaching, or serving in the multitudes of organizations that she is a member of. When times get tough, the support of her family and her faith always help her overcome challenges.

“When she is not working or devoting time to helping others, Dr. Woodberry loves spending time with her family. She has three daughters and a husband who she has been with since medical school, even overcoming the odds by taking time out of her practice to homeschool her daughters with supplemental education. They attended school during the day, and Dr. Woodberry would teach them from 6-9 p.m. every night. She looked at it as a great way to bond with her daughters, while also instilling principles, values, and education in them. They are now successful in their own ways, with her oldest graduating from Harvard Law School this coming May, her middle being interested in the medicine field, and her youngest working on Wall Street in finance.

“When asked how she does it all, Dr. Woodberry gave credit to everyone around her, including her work teams, family, and anyone who has helped her to get to where she is.

“‘You never know what people are going through on a day-to-day basis. We live in a society where anxiety and depression are really big, and sometimes people are struggling and you don’t even know it.’

“She advises that everyone should go up, say hello, ask how people are doing, and treat them the way you want to be treated, and when you are successful, lift someone else up. Always reach behind and say, ‘Who else can I put in the limelight?’”