Originally from Stalybridge, England, a small town outside of Manchester, Dr. Willson lived in the United Arab Emirates and California briefly before settling in Cary, NC when he was 10 years old. “I attended well over 10 different schools growing up, as my family moved around a lot when I was younger. We then moved back to England briefly prior to moving to Cary. I now fully consider North Carolina my home, but I do enjoy traveling and exploring new places,” he said.
He married Jess, his high school sweetheart, after they both went to NC State for undergraduate and UNC for graduate degrees. They are expecting their first child in March.
While at NC State, he was a part of the University Scholars Program, a Lucas Scholar, and earned a Senior Design Award in addition to a Burns Waugh Research Fellowship.
Dr. Willson has experience in practicing both family medicine and sports medicine. A specialization in family medicine was a natural choice for him because it allows him to develop long-lasting health care relationships with patients over time. In addition, he pursued a fellowship in sports medicine to allow him to better serve patients by offering another facet of care.
“I decided to pursue a fellowship in sports medicine as I believe that musculoskeletal medicine is a very important aspect of primary care and a very common complaint that we see. With my training in sports medicine, I am able to diagnose and manage many orthopedic complaints as well as work closely with athletes,” he said.
He has found medicine full of rewarding and inspiring experiences—so many that it is hard to select one as pivotal.
“I feel very honored and privileged to have developed so many great relationships with my patients during my residency and fellowship” he said. “My patients have had so many life experiences and stories to tell, and I am thrilled to be able to play a small role in their lives as their doctor. I am inspired by my patients as they celebrate the victories and joys that come.”
In his free time, Dr. Willson enjoys playing soccer, cheering on Manchester United and playing with his dog Bentley. He also enjoys biking and has spent time exploring local trails. He and his wife have a love of running and have participated in many half-marathons.
