Get to Know a BHC Provider

Taylor Wesley, PA Boone Medical Group-Moberly

I’m from Alma, a small town in west central Missouri. I went to high school at Santa Fe, and have played sports most of my life. I met my wife at Mizzou while studying biology and moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where I completed my Masters of Science in physician assistant (PA) studies. We are blessed to have two beautiful children, Shaylee and Landry.

Why did you get into the health care

field? My interest in health care started in high school. I was always interested in science courses, especially Mrs. Keuhn’s classes. Caring for others and leading a team have also been major reasons for my joining the health care field.

What interested you in becoming

a physician assistant? I shadowed a wonderful physician assistant, Lindi Binder, at the University of Missouri who first introduced me to the profession in college. I was intrigued by the role of the PA in health care. I went on to shadow physical therapy, physicians, and pharmacists, but I chose PA as my field of interest.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is helping patients achieve their health goals. Whether that is feeling better from an illness, losing weight, or lowering blood pressure, I enjoy helping patients feel better both in the short and long-term.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging aspect is balancing the insurance world and patient care world. We are not always able to prescribe the medications or order the tests that we would like without jumping through hoops.

What do you see changing in health care in the

next 5 to 10 years? I think medicine will change a lot due to technology over the next 10 years. I expect genetics research to play a major factor in pharmaceuticals and preventative medicine. I expect that access to tech-friendly applications will make it easier to communicate with patients and other health care professionals.

What advice would you give someone looking to

become a PA? My advice for anyone interested in becoming a PA would be to make sure that you understand the profession. There are still a lot of misconceptions about the PA profession in the general public. I spend time daily educating my own patients about my role. I would also encourage anyone interested to start the process because it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy spending time with my family. We enjoy hiking, fishing, going to the lake, or simply staying home. I’m a big fan of the Royals, Chiefs, and Tigers.

What advice would you give to someone who is going to be a patient in a hospital for a period of

time? Know that the staff cares about you. Their jobs are to ensure you get the best quality health care possible. That said, don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to make sure you have all the information necessary to make good decisions based on your needs and desires.