AvitaCare Atlanta Lead Medical Assistant Jacarda Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19. A former high school cheerleader, music theater enthusiast, and self-described “baby of the family,” she was determined to attend college and knew the military could help her finance that dream.
Looking in the proverbial rearview mirror, Jacarda calls her three years of active duty as a U.S. Army Ammunition Specialist and seven years in the U.S. Army Reserve one of the “best things she could have done for herself.” “It gave me a real sense of independence,” she says. “As a result, I will forge through anything. I can be in extremely stressful situations, and nobody will know.”
That’s quite a feat for someone who leads a team of medical assistants on the front lines of patient care at AvitaCare Atlanta, a full-service medical center that partners with MedCura Health to offer compassionate, comprehensive, and inclusive primary and specialized services to some of the community’s most marginalized members. Read on to learn more about Jacarda’s journey, including the takeaways from her military service, both personally and professionally, and her tips for showing authentic appreciation to those who served on Veterans Day and every day.
Actively military duty gave me a real sense of independence. As a result, I will forge through anything. I can be in extremely stressful situations, and nobody will know.
Leveraging a “can-do” attitude forged in the military to a career in healthcare
At AvitaCare Atlanta and in her community, Jacarda is known for stepping up to address challenges compassionately and collaboratively for her patients, team members, family, and friends. “When I see a problem, I start working toward a solution,” says the Avita team member, who won the organization’s Everyday Hero award this year for going above and beyond to create a healthcare environment where people feel supported and empowered.
Her military foundation shaped her future success by instilling a “can-do attitude” and a commitment to selfless service in her daily work. After completing active duty, she was ready to follow a long line of family members into law enforcement as a City of Atlanta police officer, but new positions were suddenly frozen during a mayoral transition. While caring for her young son and her mother, who had breast cancer, she quickly switched gears to retail work while applying to medical assistant school. When she got the call that classes had opened, she dove in and has flourished in the field ever since.
Now celebrating her 25th year as a medical assistant and her 11th year serving patients at AvitaCare Atlanta — where she was promoted to the center’s lead medical assistant in 2024 — Jacarda says she can’t see herself in a career outside frontline healthcare. “I know where my heart is; it’s in helping people,” she says. Her career growth is far from complete. This month, she began studying for a nursing degree. “I can finish what I started a long time ago,” she says.
When I see a problem, I start working toward a solution. I know where my heart is; it’s in helping people.
A continued commitment to selfless service for patients, team members, and the community
Compassion, expressed as selfless service, is a military fundamental Jacarda draws on in all aspects of her life. “Selfless service is an Army core value I encourage my team to adopt,” she explains. “In healthcare, you must have compassion not only for the person who sits next to you but also for the people you serve, who come through this door and look to us for help. You have to take the ‘you’ out. And you know what? Often, you walk away having learned something from the person you have served.”
This dedication to helping others, combined with an Army-bred habit of staying calm under pressure, has also played an important role in Jacarda’s personal life, she shares. Recently, both of her older brothers passed away within 48 hours of each other from pancreatic cancer. “Throughout their illnesses, I was the point person in charge of logistics and keeping a level head,” she says. “My military training and being in the medical field really helped keep my family on track.”
“Jacarda leads by example, embraces responsibility, and exemplifies a commitment to serving others, both professionally and personally,” says Terry Hackworth, her manager and a nurse practitioner and clinician lead at AvitaCare Atlanta. “The values of teamwork, integrity, respect, and service, instilled by her military background, are evident in how she leads and supports her team. Equally important is her ability to translate those values into compassionate care, demonstrating empathy, patience, and genuine concern for her patients and fellow team members.”
The values of teamwork, integrity, respect, and service, instilled by Jacarda's military background, are evident in how she leads and supports her team. Equally important is her ability to translate those values into compassionate care.
Authenticity is key when thanking a Veteran for their service
Looking to acknowledge a Veteran but unsure of the best way to do so? While those in the U.S. military are taught to serve without seeking recognition, many Veterans enjoy a kind word or interest in their duty, Jacarda says. The key is to be authentic in your communication.
“Saying ‘thank you for your service’ is appreciated, but make sure you’re not just saying it to a Veteran in passing, like hello or goodbye,” she recommends. “Stop and look them in the eye when you talk to them.”
Most importantly, “make sure you understand what you’re thanking them for,” Jacarda says. “They’ve been out there protecting your rights as a U.S. citizen. Everything that being an American stands for — a Veteran has stepped in and volunteered to defend it.”
Everything that being an American stands for — a Veteran has stepped in and volunteered to defend it.
