Baltimore native Dr. Letitia J. Wright has made it her “practice” to treat people with diabetes, COPD, and other diseases. The Seton Keough High School graduate’s medical career include working at Johns Hopkins Community Physicians’ East Baltimore Medical Center and MedStar.
On Saturday, December 3, 2022, Dr. Wright will celebrate the opening of her very own practice with a grand opening and ribbon cutting. Dr. Wright is the proud owner of Letitia J. Wright, MD, Inc. Located at 8813 Waltham Wood Road, Suite 204 in Parkville, the office will provide primary care to adult patients.
The grand opening and ribbon cutting will take place at Letitia J. Wright, MD, Inc. from noon until 2 p.m. and will give attendees an opportunity to meet Dr. Wright and her staff, tour the facility, and enjoy light refreshments. Free blood pressure screenings will also be offered.
In addition to diabetes and COPD, Letitia J. Wright, MD, Inc. will also specialize in the treatment and prevention of asthma, allergies, high blood pressure and obesity.
“These are some of the most common diseases that affect the general population of the U.S.,” said Dr. Wright. “Yet, to a certain extent for most people, they are preventable. But if a person develops one of these diseases, it is treatable and manageable, such that people can come off medicines. But it takes lifestyle changes. Unfortunately for African Americans, particularly those who live in urban areas, we tend to deal with a lot of allergens that can trigger asthma attacks.”
She added, “So just by educating people about their asthma, when they need to go to the ER, when they need to seek further medical attention, and what medicines they really should be using, can make a big difference. Obesity is also becoming more common, which goes back to lifestyle. We’re focused on the preventive aspect. We work with people to encourage them to make lifestyle changes and educate them on how to make those changes.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines diabetes as a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant).
According to the CDC, more than 133 million Americans are living with diabetes (37.3 million) or prediabetes (96 million). Mirroring Dr. Wright’s comments, the CDC says that obesity is a common, serious, and costly chronic disease of adults and children that continues to increase in the United States.
“I definitely believe in keeping people out of the hospital,” said Dr. Wright. “I like to keep people as healthy as possible. There are some people who don’t know things about their body. I have come to the realization that some people know more about their cars than their bodies. I’m an advocate for education.”
According to Dr. Wright, the pandemic temporarily halted her plans to open her practice.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit it, I had to put those plans on hold,” she said. “But I have been actively putting things together back in place to open this practice.”
Dr. Wright, 51, received her degrees in pharmacy (B.S. from the University of Maryland at Baltimore, and Doctor of Pharmacy from Howard University), and then worked as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Purdue University in Indiana.
While living in Indiana, she heeded the call to become a physician, and attended The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Medicine. After graduating from OSU, she returned to Baltimore to complete her residency in Internal Medicine at Union Memorial Hospital.
Desiring to learn more about medical research, she applied for and was accepted into the General Internal Medicine Fellowship program at Johns Hopkins University. While completing the fellowship, she obtained her Masters of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After finishing the fellowship, she realized that her real interest was in providing direct patient care.
“I am looking forward to this new journey of my life,” said Dr. Wright, who is a member of Huber Memorial Church. “I feel blessed. I know what God has put in my heart to do, and He’s been preparing me for years. It’s a full circle moment. I’m grateful to the Lord for the people He put in my life to enable me to open this practice. I couldn’t have done it alone. I’m also grateful to be able to serve and to give back.”
To attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting, RSVP by calling 410-882-5088, or send an email to thewrightmedicine@gmail.com.