Morris Hospital - Physician Spotlight

Heather Wakefield, M.D., General Surgery

Medical School: Rush Medical College, Chicago.

Training: Five year general surgery residency at the University of Iowa.

Reasons to see Dr. Wakefield: Treatment of abdominal and soft tissue conditions, gallbladder removal, hernia repair, breast surgery, colonoscopy, and removal of soft tissue masses.

Office Locations:
Morris MedClinic, 151 W. High St., Morris: 815.942.3600
Morris Hospital Ridge Road Campus, 27240 W. Saxony Dr., Channahon: 815.467.1518

We gave Dr. Wakefield a series of questions. Here are the ones she chose, along with her answers:

Where did you grow up?
Dr. Wakefield: I grew up in Bolingbrook in the 80s and 90s. There was nothing but subdivisions, grocery stores, and corn fields. As teenagers, we always complained that there was nothing to do. Now when I drive through Bolingbrook, I hardly recognize the town I grew up in. All the corn fields are gone and there is every retail shop and restaurant you can imagine. The church I was baptized and confirmed in has been replaced by a Walgreens.

Who was your favorite celebrity when you were a child?
Dr. Wakefield: Mel Gibson was my favorite celebrity. I loved the Lethal Weapon and Mad Max movies.

Do you have any pets?
Dr. Wakefield: I have two dogs; a pug and a pit bull. I love playing with them and taking them for walks. My pug snuggles with me while I watch television. They are spoiled rotten!

What’s the longest trip you’ve ever taken?
Dr. Wakefield: The longest road trip I’ve ever taken was when we drove down to Florida my intern year for a family vacation. We drove straight there in one shot, and it took us a little under 24 hours to get there. What I learned from that experience is that I don’t like road trips. I prefer to fly.

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve ever done while traveling?
Dr. Wakefield: I climbed an active volcano in Guatemala. I had to go part way on horse back because it was so steep that I had an asthma attack. Near the top it was very steep and the lava rock was incredibly loose. For every three steps forward, you would slide back a step. On the way down, we basically just leaned back and slid down the mountain side. It was one of the most crazy, exciting things I’ve ever done.

Who inspired you to become a physician?
Dr. Wakefield: I knew I wanted to be a physician from a very early age. I had severe asthma as a child, and the interactions I had with my pediatricians inspired me become a doctor. In fact, I thought I was going to be a pediatrician until I completed my rotations during my third year of medical school and fell in love with surgery.

What would you be if you weren’t a physician?
Dr. Wakefield: I would be a college literature professor. I majored in English in college. I really enjoyed my undergraduate classes that involved a lot of reading and discussion of literature. I am still an avid reader and am always in the middle of a novel. Reading is my favorite hobby.

What’s the most important advice you have for patients?
Dr. Wakefield: Never be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification. If you need more information, ask your doctor to explain it to you in more detail.

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