Hometown: Joplin, MO
Bio: Hello, my name is Zack Wages. I grew up in Joplin, Missouri and stuck around to do my undergraduate degree and medical school in my hometown. After living in one city my whole life I have enjoyed living in a new town and experiencing all South Bend has to offer! I am graciously supported by my wife Alex, our adorable 3-year-old daughter Addison, and our two dogs Everest and Apollo.
I first got interested in medicine after participating in a mission trip to Thailand during college. While in Thailand I assisted a medical team that was doing a mobile clinic across rural parts of the country. We saw over a thousand patients in one week, several of whom had never seen a physician. It was on that trip that I saw how medicine can be such a practical tool to make a big difference in peoples’ lives. After returning home from Thailand I switched my focus in college and never looked back!
Alex and I enjoy game nights, volleyball, visiting new restaurants, road trips, and experiencing the great outdoors!
Why Memorial: I was looking for a program that would push me to be the best I could be, while also providing support and feeling like a family. Memorial truly has that balance – I could tell by talking to faculty and residents that Memorial’s Family Medicine program is rigorous, but you will definitely love the people you are surrounded by. Memorial also has a focus on serving the community and providing care to the underserved, which I think should be driving factors for any Family Medicine physician.
Clinical interests: outpatient medicine, procedures, Emergency Medicine
Hobbies: Anything outdoors, volleyball
Favorite book(s): Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Favorite podcast(s): Sawbones
Favorite thing to do/place to go in South Bend/Mishawaka: try new restaurants, trails, Riverwalk, driving to the beach