New Chapter

Michelle Wyatt, M.D. (MED ’14, OBG ’18, MFM ’21), trained at Mayo Clinic in Rochester for 11 years and then embarked on establishing a maternal-fetal medicine practice from scratch at Essentia Health in Fargo, North Dakota. Two years later, she has a full practice that allows patients to stay within the Essentia system for maternal-fetal medicine care.

“I felt connected to ‘the needs of patients come first’ and the collaborative team approach to medicine. I was grateful to have a small class size and be close to home.”

What led you to medicine for a career?

As a child growing up in the Twin Cities, I was sick a lot with complications from asthma. I was a dancer and always had pneumonia during national competitions. A physician changed my medications, which improved my quality of life. I didn’t get pneumonia after that. I’d always been interested in science and math, and that healthcare experience made me think about a medical career starting around age 10.

What led you to Mayo Clinic?

Growing up in Minnesota, I always heard good things about Mayo Clinic. I’d never visited until I interviewed for medical school. I felt connected to “the needs of patients come first” and the collaborative team approach to medicine. I was grateful to have a small class size and be close to home.

I met my husband, Kirk Wyatt, M.D. (MED ’14, PD ’17, PDHO ’20), during medical school. He’s a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Sanford Health in Fargo. We got married during residency. He proposed outside the Foundation House after sending me on a scavenger hunt on the campus of Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

What led you to obstetrics?

I chose OB for my first rotation because I thought I wouldn’t like it and wanted to get it out of the way. Instead, I fell in love with the collaborative nature of labor and delivery. OB/GYN also allowed me to explore more surgical disciplines; early in medical school, I leaned toward surgery or ENT. However, once I saw the complex care involved in maternal-fetal medicine, I was drawn to that area.

Who were your mentors at Mayo Clinic?

Carl Rose, M.D. (OBG ’05), and Linda Szymanski, M.D., Ph.D. (OBG ’18), in the Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine; and Daniel Price, M.D. (MED ’02, ENT ’07), Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. I keep in touch with my MFM mentors. Because I’m the only MFM physician in my practice, it’s good to have others to bounce ideas off.

What’s your advice for trainees?

It can feel overwhelming but try to absorb as much as you can. Make sure you focus not only on medicine but also on ways that teams work best, with good communication and collaborative practices so you can grow those areas in your own practice.

Tell us what you do now.

I manage the MFM clinic which involves patient consultations, running a daily ultrasound clinic, providing hospital consultations and performing minor procedures. I don’t do labor and delivery. I also provide education for other providers involved in obstetrics and help develop protocols for improved patient care.

What are you most proud of on your CV?

I’ve stepped into a position where maternal-fetal medicine didn’t exist and created a practice that provides a needed resource for patients and providers. I have colleagues who are eager to come to work every day and want to do more to build the practice.

What’s your career goal?

With two young children and a two-year-old practice, I’m figuring out the next steps. I love being a physician and having a practice but also have time to be a mom. I want to grow in administrative roles and quality and education initiatives and get more involved in national organizations.

What do you do when you’re not working?

We have two sons, ages 4 ½ and 2 ½. I love being with them. In the summer, we’re on a lake every weekend that we can be. We love to travel. I’m also re-establishing some crafting hobbies, including cross-stitching.

How do you balance work and non-work life?

My husband and I plan time for the two of us where we can focus on our relationship. We also make sure to have our calendars synced!

See past New Chapter stories here.