Harrison Wright, MD

Bio

Harrison is actually my middle name, but it is the name I prefer. I was raised next to the Pacific Ocean in Newport Beach, California. My initial degree was in Biology from UC San Diego following which I attended medical school at UC Davis in Sacramento. I completed my Family Practice residency in Modesto, California. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente in July of 2007, I belonged to a group practice in Southern California. Moving to Northern California has allowed my family to live near my wife's family and her siblings in Sonoma County.

My life focuses around my wife and our three young daughters. We enjoy exploring the area, enjoying the outdoors and open spaces, and becoming more enamored with Northern California. Currently, we are very busy building our own country house and getting permanently settled.

I'm convinced that I have found the best possible job, and hope it shows. I look forward to meeting you and assisting in your health care.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

My style of medical care is affected by my interest in listening and teaching. Had I not become a physician I would undoubtedly have become a teacher. I enjoy learning about people's lives, and helping them to understand what happens inside them, and how the treatments I recommend will help. Although I have very poor artistic skills, I enjoy using drawings to explain myself. I envision a physician being a person's councilor and a source of both information and suggestions because, inevitably, a person's health and decisions are based on their own motivation and situation.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

Pediatrics is one of my key interests. Besides being a father of three, I have faithfully cared for children of all ages throughout my medical practice. I work to stay up to date on the latest information in pediatric issues.

Current projects or research:

Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program is one of the most highly sought after residencies on the West Coast. Since 2007, Kaiser has taken over a larger leadership role in the program and is dedicated to continuing it's education traditions. I and many of the primary care physicians at Kaiser are working with these newest physicians and mentoring them during their clinical rotations.

Great health resources that I refer to:

Some of my recommended sources for patient medical information include:

Familydoc.org
WebMD.com
CDC.gov

as well as Kaiser's Patient Information Library

An interesting story from my training:

During medical school, I spent almost 2 months in the most rural areas of Southern Belize providing care for scattered villages, often without water or electricity. Although very daunting due to the lack of the back-up system that our Paramedic and Hospital systems offer, I learned how the majority of care comes from sharing, teaching, and supporting people with their illnesses. It also provided an enormous perspective to people's ability to adapt to their circumstances.

Interests

Currently reading:
Discworld series by Terry Pratchett

My favorite book or author:
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (childrens book)

Great movie:
El Mariachi; Brazil; Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Hobby Photos & Links:

Kiting on the beach

My favorite web site

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My wife and children are the most important facets of my life. Since we met and married in college, my wife and I have been enjoying the limits of love and friendship. Bringing up our three daughters has added to our workload, but also provides the most entertainment and fun possible.

My children and people I care about:

Our house is a mixture of princesses, ballerinas, costumes, and coloring books. My oldest daughter would like to be the leader, but her twin sisters never let her get too much authority to herself. The house is always filled with a healthy mixture of laughter and shrieking.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

In November of 2007 my wife and I purchased a empty field on which we will build what we hope will be our final house. It feels a little having another child and watching it starting to grow. Fortunately, all three daughters seem to like the open space and the opportunities to run wild.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

Smiley

With the three curious girls running around, no pet is indestructible enough to dare live in our house.

Travel

An adventure I've had:

During medical school I spent 6 weeks providing medical care to the small jungle villages in Southern Belize, Central America. I learned a lot about how where you are in the world really impacts the availability of resources. In many cases I was the only physician these villages would see per month. All illnesses just accumulated until the physicians visit. If you didn't survive that was ok and often expected. I was even privileged to sit in on a village meeting where they discussed whether or not they wanted the government to bring electricity out to their village. Interestingly they understood the implications very well, and were generally opinioned against it. How different from our society where lack of electricity is considered a severe inconvenience.

Favorite place in the world:

Right now, this is the right place at the right time.

Travel Photos:

San Antonio Clinic

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

Reading with the girls

Other Links & Photos