Name: Jay Howell, MD

Where do you work/practice and where is it located?
Conway Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center, 550 Club Lane

 What is your professional title?
Orthopedic Surgeon, Hand and Upper Extremity Specialist

Why did you decide to pursue a career in medicine? 
I have several family members in medicine who encouraged me to explore the field.  I realized after some time that medicine was the best way for me to most effectively use the brain God gave me.

Where did you receive your education and how long have you been working in your field?
I went to medical school at UAMS in Little Rock. I began a five-year residency in Orthopedics at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, PA in 2005. I completed my residency, followed by a one-year surgical fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. 

How long have you been in practice in Faulkner County?  I have practiced in Faulkner County since August 2011. I moved here with my wife, Hannah, and one–year-old baby after I completed my fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery.

Why did you choose Faulkner County? I grew up in Fort Smith and my parents still lived there, and Hannah grew up in Wynne where her family lived.  We were looking for a practice location somewhere in Central Arkansas. I was drawn to the Conway Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center because I really got the impression that they were a solid group of Christian men. 

What do you love most about your career?
Orthopedics is a field where you can cure specific problems.  The best thing is that many patients feel better right away after treatment- whether it be a shot, quick procedure, or a surgery.

Is there any advice you would like to offer the public?
A lot of problems happen with late diagnosis. I would encourage people to get evaluated early. We have urgent care in our office every week day. You can walk in and at least get an x-ray and an initial evaluation. It’s hard to know if something’s broken based on what it feels like or looks like; you need an x-ray.

How are you involved in the community?
I coach soccer and baseball for my kids’ teams. Our family is involved in church at Fellowship Bible Church. I also provide on-site medical coverage for Greenbrier High School football.

Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities?I play tennis a few times a week whenever I can. My whole family enjoys tennis.  It’s great because my seven-year-old daughter enjoys playing tennis almost as much as my 75- year-old parents.  

What can you tell us about your family?
Hannah is a pharmacist, we actually met each other while we were both in graduate school at UAMS.  We have two children: our daughter Emery is seven years old and loves soccer, and our son Brody is nine years old, and his favorite sport is baseball. Hannah works part time at both Med Care Pharmacy and Cornerstone Pharmacy.  She is also very involved in the PTO at the kids’ school.