- Dr. Valencia Andrews-Pirtle - Doctor remains champion for children

NEA Town Courier Staff

Dr. Valencia Andrews-Pirtle has become a bit of a legend in Blytheville as a champion for children.

Raised in San Diego, California, Dr. Pirtle’s life has, in a sense, made a full circle.

As a child, she was a member of a youth organization called Pathfinders. She was also influenced by a friend’s mom who “forced” her to learn poetry.

“I couldn’t understand why,” said Dr. Pirtle.

In fact, it wasn’t until years later, she learned to appreciate the value of those lessons.

“I thought she was weird,” Dr. Pirtle said. “She would tell us how certain poems would help us later in life and she was so right. Now, I’m doing it with other kids.”

She is a member of the Blytheville Juneteenth Committee and the Blytheville Social Arts Club which volunteers to help youth in the Junior Achievers Boys Club and the OC Shivers Girls Club.

“We expose them to things that they may not be exposed to. We take them to many places in Arkansas, California and Texas to compete in orations, dance, music, powerpoints and web design,” said Dr. Pirtle.

Dr. Pirtle has also written plays, preformed by area youth, based on African history dating back to the 1600’s.

“I love that they’re learning,” stated Dr. Pirtle. “Everyone cannot write a book, but I can write a play. I did a lot of research about the 1619 Africans. I want the kids to understand that they weren’t just Africans that were taken away from Africa. They were strong and they were survivors.”

Dr. Pirtle added, “I also want them to know that some of them may be descendants of those same Africans that actually saved the Virginia Colonies. That’s important because that history from the colonial times, 1600 and back, is not taught in our schools at all, and who better to teach it to our children than us? If we never give it to them, they’ll never get it.”

They say if you want something done, find a busy person. Dr. Pirtle seems to be at the top of that list.

A graduate of the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University - Medicine and Sciences, Dr. Pirtle practices family medicine in Blytheville.

She is married to Dr. Stephen Pirtle and the couple has two daughters, Kennedy and Drew.

When Covid hit the nation in 2020, Dr. Pirtle was appointed the Mississippi County Health Officer and remained on the frontline throughout the pandemic... keeping the public informed.

As a medical student, she served on the infectious disease board at Cook County Hospital. However, in 2021, Dr. Pirtle told the Town Courier that nothing throughout her medical career had been comparable to the Covid-19 pandemic and the mental strain it brought.

“This has been the most trying time in my life as a doctor,” she said. “When you’re faced 24/7 with this exhausting pandemic, you have to find a place where you can settle yourself and let it all go.”

Pirtle’s outlet to do so came through music. Learning to play the violin and continuing her passion for playing African drums provided an escape from the mental tax of the pandemic. Further learning the importance of mental health during this time, Dr. Pirtle joined the Blytheville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for the sisterhood experience.

Continuing to be a very busy woman, Dr. Pirtle credits her husband in helping her jungle the various tasks and also finding time for herself and family.

“He allows me to be me,” Pirtle said. “He knows what makes me breathe. He knows that I’d rather have a drum or something to do with African American history than a diamond ring.”

Continuing, Pirtle said she also gets her inspiration and strength from those who came before her.

“There are a lot of late nights. I stay up late all the time. I think of Harriet Tubman. She banked a lot of sleepless nights and I get my inspiration from her. If they could do what they did, what is me losing some sleep? I know our time on this Earth is not very long, so you have to do what you’re supposed to do. They did what they did, so I have no excuses,” explained Dr. Pirtle.