Dr. Stephen Wilson (‘91) was recently appointed Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and Chief of Family Medicine Boston Medical Center (BMC) after a two-decade term at the University of Pittsburgh.

Immediately following his graduation from ENC with a bachelor’s degree in General Science and minors in English, Theology, and Psychology, Wilson began medical school at the University of Pittsburgh. He stayed with the University of Pittsburgh, completing his internship and residency in Family Medicine at UPMC St. Margaret, in addition to receiving a Master of Public Health through the university. He remained at University of Pittsburgh as faculty for twenty years until he felt called to the position at Boston University.

Wilson has extensive professional experience in the field of medicine, including a decade on the board of Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), a community of academic leaders dedicated to advancing the field of family medicine. During his time with the University of Pittsburgh, Wilson served seventeen years as the Director of UPMC St. Margaret Family Medicine Residency Medical Decision Making, actively participating and overseeing medical education, care, and research. He also served eight years as Director of Family Medicine Faculty Development Fellowship, and two as Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Family Medicine. In addition to classroom lessons, he nurtured the growth of medical students in a supervisory setting, all while maintaining a successful medical practice. He was voted one of the best doctors in Pittsburgh from 2012 to 2020.

Wilson found it important to merge his passion for teaching future physicians with his talent in medicine. He initially saw patients at an inner city Christian health center as opposed to a hospital setting. He continued seeing patients at the Lincoln-Lemington Family Health Care Center for seventeen years, caring for patients “from the womb to the tomb,” says Wilson. His passion for helping underserved populations led him to UPMC Mathilda Theiss, and finally to Boston Medical Center. Wilson’s Boston University and BMC appointment came in April 2020 at a key point of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he wasn’t looking to leave his practice and teaching in Pittsburgh, he felt called to return to the Boston area. “(BMC) primarily works to take care of low-income patients, so it’s a good fit,” he says. God has been present in every aspect of his career, from his return to Boston to his decision to attend ENC. “My career has mirrored God along that path,” he says. “All I’m trying to do is use the skills and talents He’s given me in the best way He wants.”

His time at ENC built the foundation for the rest of his career. Wilson received the President’s Scholarship as an incoming freshman, a prestigious scholarship that required academic diligence. Although his focus was on science, Wilson minored in English, Theology, and Psychology, which granted him a well-rounded education. He was an active member of the Student Government Association, the business manager for the campus yearbook, Nautilus, and a writer for the campus newspaper, Veritas (formerly the Campus Camera).

Wilson credits “the great” Dr. Lowell Hall for introducing the concept of your vocation being a form of worship, something Wilson still carries with him. “He’s a model of the application of tremendous scientific knowledge and skill with the utmost integrity and commitment to the Lord,” he says of Hall. “When we work, we work for the Lord, not for human beings.” He also notes professor Norene Fiacco was incredibly supportive and encouraging of his education, and uses the lessons from her Technical Writing class in his own teachings.

Fond memories from his undergraduate career include January term basketball tournaments and games of sardines, but above all, Wilson values the relationships he made with students and faculty. One relationship he formed shines above the others. “I met the love of my life and lifetime partner,” Wilson says of his wife, Kristen. “We’ve been married for over 25 years. “That’s probably my number one accomplishment at ENC.”