Alumni Profile: Jonathan Wright
Jonathan Wright, DO
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest
Class of 2016
Current Practice: McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center (Oregon) – Emergency Physician
Residency: Norman Regional Health Systems Center (Oklahoma)
A gift comes in many forms. Kindness. Opportunities. Wisdom. Mentors. For COMP-Northwest alumnus Jonathan Wright, DO ’16, the gifts, both personally and professionally, enhanced his experiences for the practice of medicine and life.
As a student, Dr. Wright embraced the opportunities: acquainting himself with various physicians; training in Oregon hospitals provided valuable context for the practice of medicine; and rotations introduced the practices that appealed to him, the work environment of hospitals, and how medical staff worked with one another.
The gift of experiences seeded the gift of wisdom that Dr. Wright shares to students, “While training, get comfortable stepping outside your comfort zone. The more your ignorance is exposed while training, the more sound your decision-making will be in practice.
“Figure out what you like in a community. See what jobs are available. If you are the type that finds yourself drawn to administrative tasks, then don’t take a job where you’re expected to just show up to work and leave with little say in the group. Be clear with the employer about your expectations.”
Training provided him valuable leads and insight, “Some of the relationships I established in medical school led to job offers and provided me contacts that I have been able to reach out to regarding common department challenges. It helped me see ways that different organizations address challenges that all healthcare facilities face.”
Dr. Wright knew he would return to practice in the Pacific Northwest, “I’m from this area, I love it. In about an hour’s drive, I can be at the Pacific Coast Trail, or to one of the ski resorts, or to the coast, and then be back home. Our family has been very happy here.”
His love of people has gifted him the passion to volunteer, “My family and I have been involved with the Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County working closely with Afghan refugees. We’ve held their hands while they get their teeth pulled, taught them how to shop at a grocery store, and have hosted a handful of their cultural celebrations.”
He and his family support the Eugene Mission (homeless shelter), 15th Night (youth homelessness), and the Foster and Adoptive Parents Association providing clothing, food, gifts and helping hands.
As the English poet Matthew Arnold conveyed, “Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming.” For Dr. Wright, the journey of life is to discover the gifts: who you are, who you can become and to embrace the call to serve.
