The McLennan County Medical Society is pleased that Don Wright MD, MPH, has been appointed by President Trump to replace Tom Price as Acting Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.  He trained and practiced medicine in Waco, Texas.

Dr. Wright completed his training in Family Medicine at Waco’s Family Health Center and Family Medicine Residency Program (which was then affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine) in 1985 and was Chief Resident his senior year.  He practiced clinical medicine for 17 years before entering the arena of health policy in Washington, DC.  His practice in Waco included working at Concentra Occupational Health & Medical Center and the Baylor University Student Health Center in Waco.

“It is an exciting day when a top governmental healthcare position is filled by a physician who did his formative medical training right here in Waco,” said Dr. Scott Warren, President of the McLennan County Medical Society.”

“The Waco Family Medicine Residency Program has produced hundreds of outstanding residents over the years since we began in 1970.  We are especially proud to have an alumnus now heading up the Department of Health and Human Services.  I remember well when Don informed me of his intent to move to Washington DC.”, said Roland Goertz MD, MBA, and CEO of the Waco Family Health Center.

Dr. Wright’s undergraduate work was done at Texas Tech, and he graduated medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB).  He also holds a Masters in Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Dr. Wright replaces Dr. Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia who resigned last week.  Dr. Wright has most recently held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health, Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.  He transitioned to health policy work 14 years ago under President George W. Bush.

Don Wright, MD is board-certified in Family Medicine and Occupational/Preventive Health Medicine.

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