Dr. David Wheeler
2019 American Heart Association Physician of the Year
I grew up in Missoula, Montana. As the son of educators I developed a love of learning and passion
for making a difference. I became distracted as a teenager and dropped out of high school at 16. I spent the next four years working in a restaurant and learning how to take care of myself. I met JoAnne when we were 18 and a year later decided to get my GED and follow her to college. I attended the University of Montana with plans to become a wildlife biologist.
I did well in school and discovered a strong interest in cellular physiology which led me to contemplate a career in medical research. I also became active in a number of political and social movements during my undergraduate years reaffirming my drive to make the world better through my actions. As a result of these endeavors and the strong support of my mentors I was successful in applying for a Rhodes scholarship.
I spent two importantly formative years at Oxford University completing a Masters in Physiology studying neurotransmitter systems in the basal ganglia. While in Oxford I also developed a number of important relationships with very intelligent and highly motivated people whose examples spurred me to strive even harder in my career.
After the first year at Oxford JoAnne and I got married and spent an interesting year together abroad. We then moved to Stanford where I spent 9 years obtaining the MD and PhD in Neurosciences. My research focused on the role of calcium channels in controlling synaptic function in the hippocampus; processes critical in both mechanisms of learning and epilepsy thereby forming the basis of what would become my major neurologic interests.
During my final years of medical school I found that I greatly enjoyed patient interactions and made a decision to start moving away from bench research toward a career in clinical medicine. We left the Bay area in 2000 moved on to Boston where I spent 5 years in hospitals associated with Harvard Medical School. I received outstanding clinical training in general medicine, neurology and epilepsy. I also had very extensive experience in inpatient stroke care.
Central to my decision to move to Casper was the opportunity to help develop much needed neurology programs from the ground up. I have been very busy in the years since we came to Wyoming. I have retained my broad neurologic interests and have run a comprehensive and growing general neurology and neuro-health practice. I have established the Wyoming Epilepsy Center which provides comprehensive care to the thousands of Wyomingites affected by seizures. I have also been a leader in the development of our nationally recognized Primary stroke center. I am keenly interested in stroke systems of care tailored to our rural environment. I am an active participant in several local, state and national programs devoted to system improvement and delivery of excellent care. I have also been very active in hospital leadership positions and enjoy a variety of opportunities to teach residents, medical students and PA students and nurses in the office and at the hospital.
I love living in Casper. It was a terrific community for raising our kids. We love being outdoors and go camping or hiking every chance we get. I also enjoy golf, riding motorcycles, driving sports cars, eating and preparing good food and spending time with friends and family.
for making a difference. I became distracted as a teenager and dropped out of high school at 16. I spent the next four years working in a restaurant and learning how to take care of myself. I met JoAnne when we were 18 and a year later decided to get my GED and follow her to college. I attended the University of Montana with plans to become a wildlife biologist.
I did well in school and discovered a strong interest in cellular physiology which led me to contemplate a career in medical research. I also became active in a number of political and social movements during my undergraduate years reaffirming my drive to make the world better through my actions. As a result of these endeavors and the strong support of my mentors I was successful in applying for a Rhodes scholarship.
I spent two importantly formative years at Oxford University completing a Masters in Physiology studying neurotransmitter systems in the basal ganglia. While in Oxford I also developed a number of important relationships with very intelligent and highly motivated people whose examples spurred me to strive even harder in my career.
After the first year at Oxford JoAnne and I got married and spent an interesting year together abroad. We then moved to Stanford where I spent 9 years obtaining the MD and PhD in Neurosciences. My research focused on the role of calcium channels in controlling synaptic function in the hippocampus; processes critical in both mechanisms of learning and epilepsy thereby forming the basis of what would become my major neurologic interests.
During my final years of medical school I found that I greatly enjoyed patient interactions and made a decision to start moving away from bench research toward a career in clinical medicine. We left the Bay area in 2000 moved on to Boston where I spent 5 years in hospitals associated with Harvard Medical School. I received outstanding clinical training in general medicine, neurology and epilepsy. I also had very extensive experience in inpatient stroke care.
Central to my decision to move to Casper was the opportunity to help develop much needed neurology programs from the ground up. I have been very busy in the years since we came to Wyoming. I have retained my broad neurologic interests and have run a comprehensive and growing general neurology and neuro-health practice. I have established the Wyoming Epilepsy Center which provides comprehensive care to the thousands of Wyomingites affected by seizures. I have also been a leader in the development of our nationally recognized Primary stroke center. I am keenly interested in stroke systems of care tailored to our rural environment. I am an active participant in several local, state and national programs devoted to system improvement and delivery of excellent care. I have also been very active in hospital leadership positions and enjoy a variety of opportunities to teach residents, medical students and PA students and nurses in the office and at the hospital.
I love living in Casper. It was a terrific community for raising our kids. We love being outdoors and go camping or hiking every chance we get. I also enjoy golf, riding motorcycles, driving sports cars, eating and preparing good food and spending time with friends and family.