Biography
Certified Physician Assistant Elizabeth Wright specializes in family medicine. She works with Jennifer Dear, M.D., and sees patients of all ages. She chose family medicine because she enjoys working with patients at all stages of life and building lifelong relationships with them.
Elizabeth said that being a physician assistant is the perfect career for her. “I went into medicine because I wanted to help people; however, I was torn between nursing and a doctoral program,” she said. “Being a P.A. blends everything I wanted. It allows me to use my diagnostic skills as well as nursing skills.”
Philosophy of Care
Elizabeth encourages patients to be honest with her about everything because she needs accurate information in order to make an accurate diagnosis. “I hope patients will be perfectly straightforward with me and know that they can trust me,” she said. “They need to be to very honest even if it is embarrassing or is something they don’t like to talk about.”
She wants patients to be comfortable and open with her as well. “Never be afraid to tell me ‘I’m not happy’ or ‘I don’t understand,’ ” Elizabeth said. “If a patient isn’t happy I want them to let me know so I can figure out a different way to help them. Everyone is different. If we have to go at something a different way, we can do that.”
Elizabeth believes that education is one of the best ways to help her patients achieve their best state of health. “First I find out how much the patient knows about a condition or treatment, and then I fill in the areas that can shed a new light on the subject,” she said. “I use handouts, illustrations and other takeaways and give them as much information as I can.”
Helping patients make lifestyle changes often follows the education process, and Elizabeth acknowledged that changing behavior is challenging. “It is human nature to avoid what could be uncomfortable,” she said. “Patients might fail a couple of times before they have success. I’m sympathetic with that and will do what I can to help. I’ll work with them through those struggles to get a lasting result.”
Elizabeth said she truly enjoys getting to know her patients. “I like to get to know them on more than just a medical basis,” she said. “I like to make a personal connection as well as a medical connection. I want them to enjoy coming to see me just as much as I enjoy seeing them.”
Elizabeth lives in Midland. She enjoys archery, and is skilled with recurve and learning compounds. She also enjoys crafting, scrapbooking and do-it-yourself projects. Elizabeth is a devoted fan of the Detroit Tigers and loves watching them play.
