11 May 2025 501DER WOMAN 2025: Dr. Gina McNew

Gina McNew, MD, is also a provider at the Conway Regional Hendrix Medical Clinic and serves as an internal medicine faculty/associate professor for the Arkansas College of Medicine. She is a mentor, a leader and an advocate for compassionate care and lifelong learning. Her journey into medicine was fueled by a love for science and a deep curiosity about the human body, shaped by personal experiences that laid the groundwork for a 20-year career of impactful service.

Dr. McNew’s resilience is evident in her early days, completing medical school while raising a 10-month-old and working as an EMT. Her ability to balance family, work and education defined her commitment to medicine and set the tone for a career rich in purpose and perseverance. 

“Each day, I wake up excited to continue the work I love,” she says, reflecting on the rewards of teaching and mentoring future physicians.

Outside of her clinical and academic roles, Dr. McNew is a dedicated community servant. Since 2016, she has served on the Vilonia School Board, holding the position of vice president for the last four years. She also volunteers at a local homeless shelter, where she has organized vaccine and health screening clinics, continuing her mission of accessible healthcare for all.

A passionate advocate for young women in medicine, Dr. McNew offers sage advice: “Never make yourself smaller to fit someone else’s expectations.” With her signature blend of wisdom and humor, she encourages others to bring their full selves to the table: “Life’s not a test — it’s more like a potluck.”

Married for 32 years with four children, Dr. McNew finds joy in hiking, writing, mythology and caring for a lively collection of pets and plants. Her story is one of authenticity, grit and grace — a reminder that medicine is not just a career, but a calling.