Patricia Wheeler, M.D., became interested in medicine as a young teenager living in Thailand with her family. There, she contracted dengue fever and later took part in a rabies vaccine research study. Through both experiences, she spent time in medical facilities watching the procedures, equipment and medical staff. It fascinated her, and after returning to the states and finishing high school and college, then she went on to medical school and has worked in health care since.
She joined BestMed in 2024 and provides a wide range of health care services in any given week, including screenings and preventive care, chronic illness management, women’s health care, pediatric medicine and medication counseling and management. She also performs procedures such as joint injections, excisions, biopsies and more.
Dr. Wheeler’s favorite thing about working in primary care is having the opportunity to work closely with people. “I enjoy working with patients of all ages and am always honored when I’m able to treat multiple generations of a family. I think hearing people’s stories, getting to know them as more than just diagnoses, is an important part of primary care because the doctor-patient relationship must be collaborative to work — both need to participate, listen and trust to achieve the best outcomes.”