Wes Parker, MD, fell in love with construction tools long before he picked up orthopaedic drills, bone cutters and chisels as a doctor. 

Now as an orthopaedic surgeon, he still uses tools every day, just in a different capacity – one that provides exceptional care to patients vs. quality craftsmanship in someone’s home. 

“Working with my hands has always been a passion of mine,” Dr. Parker said. 

Dr. Parker is now practicing orthopaedic surgery with Medical Group of the Carolinas – Orthopaedic Surgery – North Grove. 

After graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville and finishing residency through Prisma Health Upstate, he completed a fellowship in adult reconstruction through the Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas. 

His professional journey took him through four years of home remodeling followed by four years as a seventh-grade life science teacher before he set his sights on the medical field as a more suitable, long-term career field. He has always loved helping others, he said, and this path gave him the opportunity to use his hands to improve people’s lives. 

“And I chose joints and orthopaedics because of the relational aspect of it all,” he said. “You get to know people through the process, and assuming everything goes well, people come back for multiple joints or other issues over the years.” 

Orthopaedics is a field accustomed to reliable surgeries with positive patient outcomes, Dr. Parker said. 

“We can reliably ‘fix’ somebody or make their lives better so it’s rewarding to improve their lives,” he said. 

At home, Dr. Parker and his wife have four children, ages 10, 8, 6 and 4. He and his family stay active and connected by getting outdoors, riding bikes, visiting parks across the Upstate and playing youth sports. 

Dr. Parker is looking forward to treating patients and building relationships and said he is grateful to be a part of helping others along their journey to health. 

To learn more about MGC – Orthopaedic Surgery – North Grove, click here.