Having grown up in a rural community, that is where Dr. Wesley Thompson’s heart is and where he wants to practice as a family medicine physician. His goal is to simplify the medical experience for his patients, taking care of as many aspects of their health care as possible.

Wesley Thompson, M.D.

What this award means: The Department of Family and Community Medicine has been very influential during my medical school education, and I am very grateful for the opportunities it has provided in training, mentorship, and leadership. It’s an honor to be chosen as a recipient by such an exceptional group of people.

Mentor comment: To be a family medicine physician requires being brilliant, brave, and willing to go above and beyond for patients every day, and that is exactly who Wesley is. From the very first day that I met him as his Colleges mentor, he impressed me with his clinical acumen, deep compassion for others, and commitment to caring for the underserved. – Hilda Loria, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Background and family: I was born in Kansas, where most of my mom’s family lives. We moved to far West Texas when I was 3 and to not-as-far West Texas when I was 8 or 9, where I graduated from high school. My father’s family lives in the Black Hills region of Wyoming and South Dakota.

What led to your career path: My goal is to become a rural family medicine physician, and my upbringing is a big reason for that. Most of my family live in rural communities. This led to my passion for these communities and the health of their people.

College: I graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University with a major in biomedical sciences. During my time in College Station, I helped investigate novel therapeutics for post-traumatic epilepsy. I also was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, worked as a tutor for the athletic department, and volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and BUILD, a student organization and nonprofit that converts 40-foot shipping containers into fully functional and portable medical clinics.

UTSW activities: I have been involved in community mental health advocacy and research with Dr. Loria and the student organization Mental Health Matters. In addition, I helped facilitate the Hoops4Health youth basketball tournament with Scottish Rite for Children and the Dallas Mavericks and have been both the social media chair and now co-President of our Family Medicine Interest Group.

Surprising fact: I grew up playing all sports. My favorite sport to watch is football (Go Aggies!), but what I enjoy the most is getting outside for a round of golf or a tennis match with some good friends.

Future plans: I intend to work as a rural family medicine physician at a small community hospital. I wouldn’t describe my future career as completely “full spectrum” because I’m still undecided whether to practice obstetrics, but I definitely want to care for patients in the outpatient, inpatient, and emergency department settings. I love the idea of being a generalist in medicine and simplifying the medical experience for my patients by handling as many different aspects of their care as I can.

About the award: Named after the Chair of Family and Community Medicine at UT Southwestern from 1984 to 1993, the Ross Award includes a $1,000 scholarship from the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.