Saint Joseph Health has announced that Tyler Elam, DO, has joined Saint Joseph Medical Group – Primary Care in Winchester. Dr. Elam, who is originally from Farmers, Kentucky, near Morehead, said his upbringing influenced his decision to pursue a career in primary care.
“I grew up in a farming community and, particularly in my family, I would see deficits in medical care,” Dr. Elam said. “My grandfather inspired me. He was a pastor and had a lifelong struggle with diabetes. I remember moments as a kid when I perceived that he didn’t have resources to get his medicine or seek care.”
Dr. Elam stated that he wants to help others avoid the difficulties his grandfather experienced. “I don’t want to see somebody else struggle the way I watched my grandfather struggle,” he said. “I wanted to be one of the people who would stand in the gaps for those who have gaps in care.”
He compared the role of primary care providers to quarterbacks on a football team: “In many regards, primary care providers are kind of like quarterbacks in the football field of medicine,” he said. “The quarterback is not always scoring touchdowns, but the quarterback is vital to winning the game.”
Dr. Elam described his approach as holistic: “I see the human, the patient as a compilation of mind, body and spirit. And if any of those three components are in a sort of dis-ease, then the unit as a whole doesn’t function at its full capacity. I take all of these things into consideration for my patients.”
He also shared personal details about his life and inspiration: Dr. Elam has been involved with First Church of God in Winchester and enjoys participating in mission work. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Morehead State University (2009), received his Doctor of Osteopathy from University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (2014), and completed residency at East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine – Bristol Family Medicine Residency (2017).
Appointments with Dr. Elam can be scheduled by calling 859-744-5111.
Saint Joseph Health is part of CommonSpirit Health and operates more than 100 locations across 20 counties in Kentucky through hospitals, clinics, physician groups and specialty institutes.
Chi Memorial Hospital Georgia is another member organization within CommonSpirit Health that serves Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia through three hospitals and 65 care sites https://www.memorial.org/. This healthcare system offers services such as heart care, cancer treatment and emergency services while focusing on high-quality patient safety standards https://www.memorial.org/. Chi Memorial Hospital Georgia also provides neurology services, imaging centers and women’s health specialties https://www.memorial.org/.
