Mary Wilde, MD
Mary Wilde, MD runs a small consulting practice focused on behavioral health, leads physician retreats, directs online programs for parents and anxious kids/teens, and teaches at a medical school.
Tell us about your career path
I knew I wanted to be pediatrician since I was a little girl. I’ve always had many interests (a renaissance girl!) & majored in English and participated in several music groups prior to med school. I attended the University of Utah School of Medicine and the Pediatrics Residency program at the University of Minnesota. I had my first child just prior to my 3rd year of med school and went on to have 8 sons! I worked part-time as a hospitalist and urgent care doc for about 12 years and then later opened my own consulting practice focused on integrative behavioral health. I now teach at a med school in my town (medical humanities department) and run yearly physician wellness retreats near Zion National Park.
What helped get you there?
I had a very influential mentor in residency–a developmental behavioral pediatrician named Dr. Kohen. He was an international guru in medical hypnosis and taught me about the power of mind-body medicine. One of his favorite sayings was “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” I also love the work of Dr. Rachel Remen.
What challenges have you faced in your medical career?
The greatest challenge has been finding balance between work and family responsibilities. I have 8 sons and have been a caregiver for an aging parent. I resonate with the words of E.B. White, “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to save the world and a desire to savor it. This makes it hard to plan the day.”
What advice do you have for women in medicine?
Honor your priorities & pave your own path. I’ve been able to sculpt a professional life that provides a flexible schedule and allows me to utilize my creative & entrepreneurial gifts!
What is your leadership role in AMWA and/or share a passion that you’ve turned into an initiative and invite others to join in furthering this endeavor.
I’m particularly interested in the AMWA initiatives related to medical humanities and physician wellbeing.
Have you had an Ah-Ha moment? or, Is there anything else that has impacted your career trajectory or work within or outside medicine that has been a significant influence?
I’ve had many aha moments and continue to learn and grow. I’ve been inspired by my mom who worked as a psychiatric nurse. She always had great respect for the gifts and humanness of her patients and told me, “It’s a privilege to be with others in their time of crisis.” I consider it a gift and a privilege to be a physician.
Social Media:
IG – drmarywilde