CROSSETT – Alan Wilson, MD, has plenty of demands on his time being a general surgeon practicing in rural Arkansas where all types of doctors, including surgeons, are scarce on the ground. He is also married with five children. But Wilson has found time to take on volunteer responsibilities as president of the Arkansas Medical Society (AMS), a group established in 1875 that represents 4,300 physicians in the state.
Wilson’s goals during his term as president include helping physicians come together to navigate the rapid changes in healthcare with the reforms brought about by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). No one is completely satisfied with the ACA, but the AMS strongly advocated the extension of private health insurance coverage to working families earning below 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
“Here in Crossett and Ashley County, the Medicaid expansion has really helped because we previously had a significant number of uninsured patients, and now we don’t see nearly as many,” Wilson said. “Before, patients without healthcare coverage delayed seeing physicians for health problems. If we can see patients earlier on in the progression of their disease, and prevent serious complications later, we are improving health overall. There is less of a drain on the medical system in general because costs are lower. For employers, they have healthier employees with increased productivity, and less sick time.”
Wilson said in the past his surgery schedule used to be slower in January and February. But this year, thanks to more insured patients, the clinic stays busy even in the dead of winter.
There are concerns about people who abuse the system, and visit the doctor too often. But Wilson, who has 22 years of experience as a surgeon, said that can happen regardless of the patient’s insurance status.
Other priorities during his term as president include advocating for responsible and practical reforms such as patient-centered medical homes and establishing a prescription drug monitoring program to combat abuse and diversion of prescription drugs. AMS members have also been successful advocating the establishment of a statewide trauma system and passage of the Clean Indoor Air Act.
Wilson grew up in Houston, Texas, and knew from an early age that he wanted to be not just a physician, but a surgeon. That inspiration came to him in sixth grade when his school nurse took his class to the Texas Medical Center to watch open heart surgery.
“I can still remember them lifting the lungs up so we could see, and I knew then I wanted to be a surgeon,” Wilson said. “I was enjoying myself so much. It was fascinating. From that age on, becoming a surgeon was my goal. I made sure I took the right classes, and got good grades.”
Wilson attended medical school at the University of Texas Branch at Galveston, Texas, and did his surgical residency in Detroit, Mich. For a couple of years he worked for a group practice in Corsicana, Texas, which is near Houston. His goal was to be in private practice, and he wanted to live in a small town. So when the opportunity came up to go into practice in Crossett, he didn’t hesitate.
“I’ve been working my way down to smaller places,” Wilson said. “They were building a new hospital, they needed a surgeon, and I jumped at the opportunity. We have been here 17 years.”
Many physicians prefer living in big cities, but Wilson said they are only a six-hour drive from Houston, and the Internet means you don’t have to be isolated from the world living in a small town.
Wilson has been married to Stephanie Wilson for 32 years. They have daughters who are 25 and 26, sons who are nine, ten and 11, and a four-year-old granddaughter. His hobbies include computers, being a ham radio operator and a private pilot. He also is a deer and squirrel hunter.
“I find that quite enjoyable,” he said. “Sitting out in woods where it is quiet and no one is bothering you is very nice.”

Meta tags: Alan Wilson, MD, Crossett, general surgery, Arkansas Medical Society, Ashley County Medical Center, University of Texas Branch at Galveston, ham radio, Affordable Care Act, Arkansas Medicaid expansion, Becky Gillette

Photo notes: Photos available from InCharge cover story photography