Jim Gray, MD is a radiologist affiliated with several hospitals in the Pascagoula, Mississippi, area. He provides advanced imaging to hospitals and physicians. Dr. Gray received his BA in Science for Genetics and Zoology from Southeast Missouri State University before moving on to Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he received his M.D. in 2005. He completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Mississippi. He then completed a fellowship in musculoskeletal training in Cincinnati. He has been in private practice since completion.
It was his desire to be at the forefront of an ever-advancing field that led him to a career in radiology. With technology constantly upgrading, Jim Gray MD is able to quickly locate and diagnose issues and relay them to the ordering physician for continuing treatment. With an increase in early detection, Dr. Gray has been an integral part of helping patients recover from medical issues.
In his free time, Jim Gray MD spends time with his three children. They enjoy boating, either in the Gulf or in local lakes. They also love going to the movies and traveling with the competitive cheer team. Dr. Jim Gray has also recently begun running and is hoping to run full marathons within the next 18 months.
Why did you choose to become a radiologist?
I was drawn to radiology because I liked that radiologists are often the first line of diagnosis. Imaging is such an important part of finding the cause of the patient’s ailment. The medical community relies heavily on imaging for early detection of underlying medical problems. I enjoy being able to read the image, provide that information to the ordering physician, then move on to help the next patient.
I’ll be honest, it’s also a great field to be in with all the advances we have made in technology. There is such a difference in what we were able to image before to what we can see now. It’s almost like being able to play a video game all day. I compare it to the game where you’re given two pictures and you have to spot the difference. It’s a pretty accurate description for imaging. You spot the problem so the physician can treat the patient accurately.
What is your daily routine?
I think there is a misconception that radiologists have an easier day than other doctors. In reality, each specialty requires our services, so our days are extremely busy. I am in each morning by 730 and we walk in to an overnight list. We start each morning reviewing all of those in a dark room, talking into a voice recorder. We have to get those back to the physicians as quickly as possible. Throughout the day, we have imaging studies scheduled, for things like MRI or CT scans. Between those studies, we are also called out to do procedures where a radiologist is required. There is very little time in the day where I am not doing a study, a procedure, or reading completed images. I am busy from the moment I walk in and I enjoy always having something to do.
When you look forward in your career, what trend in medicine do you see impacting your specialty the most and why?
Technology is our driving force and fortunately our imaging modalities keep getting better. There have been so many innovations from an imaging standpoint. Imaging really has been the direction of medicine for the last several decades. We’ve seen more advancements in our field than any other because the technology is there. Forty years ago, MRI scanners were almost unrealistic for most facilities, but they are now commonplace. Even better, they can see more now than they could before and not just for neurologic processes, but throughout the body. They can find soft tissue abnormalities because the resolution has only gotten better. This allows for more accurate diagnosis. Previously, doctors had to rely on what we could find and then treat with educated guesses based on symptoms. Now, we can pinpoint the area and get a solid view of what is going on.
What do you love most about your job?
I think the greatest part about the job is that it’s a large team effort. It takes a lot of moving parts to run a radiology department. We work with different facilities and different practices. We have to know where we are needed and make sure we can be there. Having the comradery with your team is essential. The relationships you build with other physicians also makes for a great work environment.
What do you consider the greatest accomplishment in your career?
It’s hard to pick one. I appreciate the small accomplishments, like diagnosing breast cancer early so that the patient gets a good outcome. Early detection can help prevent cancer from spreading and improves survival rates. I don’t need an award to feel that sense of accomplishment. Knowing I was able to help bring that outcome is what makes it all worthwhile.
Can you share your volunteer activities?
As a family, we donate time and energy to the Catholic school system. We also volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. I haven’t been able to do any medical missions yet, because my children are still young, but it is definitely something I plan to do when they are a bit older.
What do you do to separate yourself mentally from your job?
I have three kids. I am the ultimate cheer Dad. We spend a lot of our weekends traveling across the southern United States with the competitive cheer team, watching the routine like it’s new every time.
Where do you want to be with your career in 5 years?
I want to be just where I am at right now. I love where I am. We have a great group of people and we’re doing a lot of good. We have really good hospital administrators. I am content to continue here for as long as I can. Technology will only get better and make us even better diagnosticians and I want to grow with it.