Dr. Jernigan recieved his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC (1996). He was then accepted into the College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina where he completed a four year program in 2000. Following his dental training, Dr. Jernigan completed a 3 year residency in orthodontics at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Dr. Jernigan then completed a one-year term working in a private practice in Nashville while teaching at Vanderbilt as a part time instructor of clinical orthodontics. Dr. Jernigan intends to maintain his faculty relationship with the Vanderbilt Medical Center to continue to help others learn and to aid in his own continuing education.

Dr. Jernigan was raised in Gilbert, SC and graduated from Gilbert High School in 1992. He and his wife of eight years, Jennifer (Richland Northeast '92, Winthrop '96) , met while in college at Winthrop University. They have a daughter, Kate.

Dr. J enjoys sports of all kinds (he is a huge USC football fan!!!) , playing the guitar, the outdoors (trying to play golf!), and spending time with his family.