Sit Down For a Q&A With Dr. Morrison

Building a strong relationship with your surgeon is key to fostering trust, open communication, and a clear understanding of your medical needs. These are all factors that can contribute to better surgical outcomes. In this one-on-one interview, we sit down with Dr. Hillary Morrison to discuss her journey as a surgeon, what drives her passion for patient care, and why Wyoming Surgical Associates is the right choice for top-quality surgical care in Wyoming.

What is your surgical specialty?

I am a general surgeon at Wyoming Surgical Associates. I don’t have a specific specialty I do quite a variety of surgeries that range anything from gallbladder to hernias all the way up to cancer surgeries for skin, thyroid, breast, and colon.

What is your background and why did you pursue surgery?

I pursued general surgery because it was one of the professions that when I went through medical school I wasn’t watching the clock. I absolutely loved working with patients in the clinic and in the hospital. I also grew up in a medical household. My father and brother are veterinarians. They actually work here in town, and I greatly enjoyed the hands-on experience.

Where did you attend medical school and/or fellowship?

I attended medical school at Kansas City University in Kansas City and I went to residency at KU in Wichita, Kansas.

What’s something you would tell your younger self while in medical school?

Something I would tell my younger self while in medical school is something that I tell the students all the time now and that would be to pursue what you love because if you follow what you love everything else will fall in place.

What’s one piece of advice you would give a patient preparing for surgery, or a misconception you’d like to clear up about surgery?

One of the misconceptions about general surgery is about the variety of procedures that we do. We do quite a variety and if you have a question on whether or not we do that here in town, just go ahead and call and ask because we love to keep people in town and closer to home.

What do you find most rewarding about being a surgeon?

The thing I find most rewarding about being a surgeon is seeing your patients get better. I think it’s one of the few health fields that we can actually see an end to a disease and it’s very rewarding when my patients come back in, and they actually feel improved and you feel like you made a difference.

Are there any advanced/innovative surgical techniques or technologies you are currently using or pursuing?

One of the advanced and innovative technologies in surgery that I currently pursue is minimally invasive surgery. I do a lot of minimally invasive hernias, anywhere from abdominal wall hernias to inguinal hernias, as well as paraesophageal hernias.

What’s one reason you enjoy living or practicing in Casper?

I have many reasons to love and enjoy working here in Casper. The main reason is that my family is here. My brother, sisters, parents, and my grandma all live here.

What’s a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I love animal facts. For example, did you know that spinner dolphins keep half of their brain awake while they’re sleeping? Therefore, they can swim while they’re sleeping.

What role do surgeons play in the overall health of a community?

I think that general surgeons play a vital role in the healthcare of the community because we work very closely with the family medicine doctors, the doctors at the hospital, and the oncologists to bring comprehensive care to Casper.

Why should patients choose Wyoming Surgical Associates?

I think one of the reasons you should choose Wyoming Surgical Associates is because we’re from the community and we’re for the community. We’d love to help you stay here in town close to people that you love or in Wyoming and get the best healthcare you can.

Dr. Morrison provides personal care and individualized treatment so our patients receive high-quality care unique to their specific surgical needs. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Morrison please call our office at (307) 577-4220 or request an appointment online.