Director, Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center & Associate Professor of Surgery, West Virginia University Health Science Center
By Kensie Westerfield
Rolling up her sleeves and getting involved is in Alison Wilson’s blood. Growing up in Ohio and Indiana, everyone had a job. Whether it was doing laundry or making dinner, everybody was expected to lend a hand. “As long as I can remember we always had jobs at home to help contribute to the family. By the time I was 10, I was responsible for mowing the two-acre lawn with the push mower.”
It was probably the work ethic that was instilled in Wilson in her younger years that has made her the successful surgeon that she is today.
After graduating from Baylor College of Medicine, Wilson joined the faculty at West Virginia University’s School of Medicine. In 2006, she was named director of Surgical Critical Care at West Virginia University Hospital, and in 2007, she was named director of the Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center at West Virginia University Hospitals. In this capacity she helped obtain National Level I Trauma Center status and continues to maintain that status at this time. She is also the section chief for Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Critical Care and oversees faculty while mentoring residents and students.
Wilson has a good mix of people that have inspired her and helped guide her along the way. “My mom and dad are both people I admired growing up and I tried to model their hard work and dedication. Dr. Ken Mattox, professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, was and continues to be my mentor, and Father Wayne Wilkerson has helped motivate me and keep my eyes on my priorities.”
Wilson is a sensitive surgeon and admits that something people don’t know about her is that she cries during every Hallmark commercial. Her sensitivity is part of what helps her achieve so much in the health care industry. “My job is so incredible. To see critically ill or injured patients get well and return to healthy, productive lives is an incredible reward. Each day I know that my job and how well I do my job matters. Additionally, I have the opportunity to teach students and residents. To know that I am helping to educate the next generation of doctors is an incredible motivator.”
WVU is a family affair for the Wilsons. “West Virginia is a fabulous fit for my entire family. We love the mountains and the outdoors. The university has been great for both my husband and me. My husband is an associate professor in the College of Agriculture. He has been a successful researcher and teacher. WVU is one of the few universities that has the College of Agriculture and School of Medicine on the same campus.”
In fact, Wilson and her husband, Matt, feel so strongly about WVU and the work that is accomplished there that they developed a fund and purchased special custom-made gliders/rocking chairs for the pediatric intensive care unit, providing one for each of the 20 intensive care rooms at the Childrens’ Hospital at West Virginia University.
Although Wilson works long hours, she is not all work and no play. With two young boys, she finds time to be a mother as well. “With a two-year-old and a six-month-old we are always on the go. We love to play a toddler version of football and hockey. The boys love the horses and cows, so the family farm work is time for fun, too. Our two-year-old, Hank, started ice hockey this fall, so we go to practice together once a week. One of my most special times with the boys is reading books before bedtime.”
