Whitney Williams, DO
Family Medicine
Wichita
I told everyone that I wanted to be a doctor at a young age — too young to have actually known what that meant, but even then, something in me found the human body fascinating. Although the journey had some twists and turns along the way, I ultimately realized after completing my undergraduate degree at McPherson College that 8-year-old me knew what she was talking about!
After medical school, I learned that much of the general public is not familiar with osteopathic medicine (I honestly wasn’t either before school!), and I have often been asked what the difference was. I formulated a response to sum it up as best I could: D.O.s spend the same number of years in school and training as our M.D. counterparts, and even follow the same general curriculum. One major difference is that osteopathy has an underlying philosophy geared towards a more holistic approach. The idea is that the human body is beautifully designed and should be capable of self-healing and maintaining equilibrium, and that our job as physicians is to work alongside our patients to help facilitate those capabilities. I’ve always subscribed to the notion that the real goal of science and medicine can and should be used to promote wellness, not merely to treat illness, and that we should strive for the least invasive and most natural treatments when illness does appear. Another major difference for D.O.s is that, in addition to the regular curriculum, we also receive training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). OMT is a set of hands-on techniques used to diagnose and treat dysfunctions or imbalances in the musculoskeletal system, which is firmly intertwined with the nervous system and thus all other systems in the body. It is an extra tool that can be used to correct not only structural issues, but even some physiologic conditions. I no longer practice OMT (we have wonderful chiropractors for the hands on treatments!), but the knowledge of that system has proved invaluable still.
After graduating from medical school in 2018, I moved to Wichita to begin residency in family medicine at Wesley Medical Center. That was a 3-year whirlwind of intense training topped off with some major life changes (moving, marriage, and children). I learned and grew so much from many amazing teachers and great opportunities. Despite these experiences, as graduation neared, I became uncertain about what I wanted my career to look like. When I learned about PHW, I immediately realized it was the right fit for how I want to practice medicine: a holistic, natural, team-based approach in which the patient is an active partner in their own care. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this team for the past 5 years and into the future!
When I’m not at work, I spend most of my time at home with my husband and our two children. I also enjoy playing soccer and crafting and traveling. I grew up in Utah and try to fly home to visit family and friends and my mountains as often as I can, plus the occasional beach trip!