FOR DR. Clive Wasson, the human body has always been a source of wonder. Long before he stepped into an operating room, he was a student of the natural world, captivated by biology, anatomy, and the intricate workings of life.
“I’ve always been interested in how things worked, and I think the most amazing thing ever created was life,” he shared.
While his early plans centered on veterinary medicine, his severe allergies led him to reconsider. With a shift to a premed focus, Wasson’s path toward becoming a physician began to take shape.
Surgery ultimately became the field that aligned both his interests and his natural abilities. The variety of the specialty, the tangible nature of anatomy, and the hands-on skill involved drew Wasson in.
“I found general surgery to be an attractive career option due to the variety it offered and because it allowed me to work with my hands. I really enjoyed anatomy and the more tangible aspects of medicine that surgery affords,” Wassan said.
That inclination toward manual skill did not begin in medical school; it was rooted in earlier experiences. Before becoming a physician, Wasson spent extensive time working in a cabinet shop building custom cabinets and wood furniture. Skilled craftsmanship, problem-solving, and precision work became second nature.
“I truly enjoyed that,” he said. “I’ve also always found satisfaction in fixing mechanical things. Surgery allows me to work with my hands in an effort to fix or heal people. I believe humans are the most amazing beings created by God, so every day, I get to work with my hands trying to help fix and heal the most amazing machines.”
Throughout his training, Wasson encountered mentors who shaped not only his clinical approach but also his character. Their lessons went far beyond medicine.
“Many attendings not only taught me how to practice medicine, but also instilled good life advice. If you want to establish trust and respect with people, you have to conduct yourself in a trustworthy and respectful manner.”
For Wasson, professionalism begins with the most fundamental principle: treat everyone with dignity. “It’s really as simple as the old elementary adage: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ The custodian deserves the same respect as the CEO or one of your physician colleagues.”
This same standard guides how he interacts with patients. He believes trust is earned through honesty, transparency, and listening.
“I strive to treat my patients as I would want someone to treat me or my family members. If you’re honest and transparent with your patients, most people will trust you,” Wasson said.
He is also sensitive to the vulnerability patients feel when choosing a surgeon, especially a younger one. Rather than take offense, he responds with openness.
“There have been times when patients would ask me my age or how long I’ve been a surgeon. If this is a point of concern, I’m always happy to offer a referral for a second opinion. I know it’s not personal. People deserve to feel confident and comfortable with who is caring for them.”
Surgery demands skill, stamina, and emotional resilience. The hours are long, the stakes are high, and the responsibility is immense. Wasson stays grounded by remembering who is at the center of it all.
“Patients are people. They are someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter. They are loved.”
Keeping this perspective protects him from detachment and sustains empathy, even on the hardest days. “Treating people as you would want someone to treat your loved one helps maintain that personal connection. That can be emotionally demanding. Spending time outside of work with the ones I love helps me ‘recharge’ emotionally and physically as well.”
Time outdoors restores Wasson, and the same hands that perform surgery still find joy in hands-on hobbies. He enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, working on vehicles, and tackling house projects; all of which are outlets that balance the intensity of his profession.
As a preceptor to medical students rotating through Winchester, Wasson takes the responsibility of shaping future physicians seriously. His message to aspiring doctors, especially those drawn to surgery, is candid and grounded in truth.
“You have to go into the career for the right reason. If you are interested in medicine or surgery just because you think you’re going to make a bunch of money, you will be miserable and disgruntled, no matter how much money you make. Go be a stockbroker or something.”
Wasson is passionate about reinforcing that a career in medicine is ultimately about loving people and serving them well. “To be happy in a career in medicine, you have to love people. You will meet people in their most vulnerable times. If you don’t love people and care for them as people, you’ll be doing an incomplete service to them.”
His most meaningful moments in medicine have not been in the operating room, but with patients in varying seasons of life.
“I’ve cried with patients, I’ve prayed with patients, I’ve celebrated with patients. Those personal experiences are the most rewarding aspects of medicine,” Wasson said.
Although surgery is a critical part of his work, Wasson is most driven by the goal of stopping disease before it ever reaches the operating room. His focus is on prevention, early screening, and educating the community. “If we can prevent illness and avoid surgery through healthier choices, that is always the better path.”
Wasson encourages the community to prioritize screening colonoscopies, mammograms, and annual low-dose CT scans for individuals with a smoking history. “The focus shouldn’t be treating illness; it should be preventing illness and maintaining health,” he said.
In every patient interaction, Dr. Clive Wasson pairs clinical excellence with genuine humanity. His commitment to compassionate care and prevention continues to shape the standard of medicine in our community, leaving a lasting impact on the lives he serves. GN
