Dr. Emma Hayden Wright

Following graduation from HLGU, Emma attended medical school at A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO where she graduated with her Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) in May 2018.

Please describe your position and what you enjoy most about it.

I work within various subspecialties at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Columbia, MO with pediatric patients. I am caring for them as I refine the knowledge and training I developed during medical school. I enjoy getting to play a small part in the lives of families and teaching parents how to achieve the best possible health in their children.

What aspects of your HLGU experience helped prepare you for your career?

Letting my faith guide my practice has been a priority of mine from the beginning. Showing Christ’s love through acts of service toward my patients is a quality I began developing a passion for during my time at HLGU that was refined through mission trips and other campus service opportunities.

Have you or are you currently continuing your education? If so, please list the institution(s) and degree(s) you earned or are working toward.

After graduating with my BS in Biology from HLGU, I attended medical school at ATSU-KCOM in Kirksville, MO. There I graduated with my Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) in May 2018.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of completing medical school while managing my two toddler boys. I hope someday that they can see that their dreams can be achieved with hard work and a lot of prayer!

What HLGU professors played a part in your success?

Everyone in the biology department was essential to my success. Specifically Drs. Burkett and Colborn for laying a great foundation of the basic sciences that I could build on in medical school.

Do you have any tips to share with students interested in this field?

When I attended HLGU, I didn’t have any previous students who went on to become physicians to help me through the medical school application process. Having a mentor that has walked that path before is very helpful, so whatever field you find yourself interested in, I suggest looking for someone who’s been there to give you tips along the way.

What are some of your favorite HLGU memories?

Some of my favorite memories include my close group of friends I made living on campus, but I also enjoyed the fun to be had in our various small study groups, agonizing over organic chemistry. We survived together.  Also, the midnight breakfast, of course!

What roll has HLGU’s motto, “knowledge for service,” played in your life?

I think this motto embodies my entire career. I use my past experiences and knowledge that I have acquired through the years every day to serve my patients and their families and guide them toward better health.