Provider Spotlight: Health First Orthopedic Trauma Physician Assistant Ryan Wilson’s Impact is Real and Lasting

PAs and NPs are an essential part of high level of care provided at Health First

WATCH: Provider Spotlight – Health First Orthopedic Trauma Physician Assistant Ryan Wilson’s Impact is Real and Lasting

When I look back, I realize my journey into medicine started when I was 16. I was playing football, got hit in the knee, and suddenly found myself as a patient instead of an athlete. The orthopedic surgeon was impressive, but it was the PA who really stuck with me.

She was easy to talk to, incredibly smart, and she took the time to make sure I understood what was happening. That experience changed everything. Not only did she help me heal, but she also sparked the idea that this could be my path.

After I recovered, she brought me into the practice, and I started working there. Later, when it came time for clinical rotations, I spent a month with her here at Health First—where I’ve now been ever since. We’re still in touch all these years later, and I’ll always be grateful for the way she opened the door for me.

Interestingly, around the same time that I was finding my passion for medicine, I also met the person who would become my wife.

We were just kids in high school then, neither of us knowing that both my future career and my future partner were unfolding right in front of me. We’ve been together ever since, and she’s been my greatest support as I’ve navigated long hours, early mornings, and the demands that come with this calling.

In orthopedics, I’ve seen patients at their lowest—injured, uncertain, sometimes convinced that life as they knew it was over. Early on, I didn’t fully understand why some reacted with anger or frustration. With experience, I came to see that those emotions weren’t really directed at me. They came from fear, from hardship, from lives suddenly upended.

Learning to listen, to give space, and then gently bring patients back to the bigger picture has become one of the most important parts of how I practice. Sometimes it’s reminding them that this difficult chapter is just a small blip in the timeline of their lives. Sometimes it’s just being there long enough for the weight on their shoulders to ease.

Over the years, I’ve kept letters and notes from patients and families—reminders that even when the days are tough, this work matters.

One of my favorites is from a family who wrote after their loved one recovered and was able to get back to traveling and enjoying life again. It’s taped to my desk, a small piece of encouragement I can look back on whenever I need perspective.

As Medical Director for our APPs, I feel a tremendous sense of pride. PAs and NPs are an essential part of this organization, and during National APP Week, I want to say how much I value the work you all do. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always recognized in the moment, but your impact is real and lasting. I see it, our leadership sees it, and most importantly, our patients feel it.

Similar Stories