Dr. Darcy Wooten’s career journey has been anything but conventional. Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Wooten proudly represents six generations of California heritage. Growing up in Los Angeles, she initially aspired to become an English teacher, inspired by her mother, a high school science teacher, but also seeking a path uniquely her own. “My rebellion was to be an English teacher, but still within the teaching realm,” she shared. However, a required undergraduate science course on human viruses profoundly shifted her trajectory.
“I absolutely fell in love with infectious diseases, particularly virology,” she explained. This newfound passion led her to pivot from literature to medicine, eventually pursuing a career as a physician specializing in infectious diseases. With this decision, her creative and teaching instincts found a new outlet in medical education, a field where she continues to innovate.
Building a Career in Infectious Diseases
Dr. Wooten completed her medical training in Los Angeles and began her professional journey at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Over a decade in San Diego, she provided HIV primary care to underserved and marginalized communities, a role she found deeply meaningful. Her dedication to patient care was matched by her passion for education. “I loved designing curricula and finding innovative ways to teach and engage learners,” she said, blending her creative roots with her medical expertise.
While she cherished her time at UCSD, a national advertisement for the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program Director position at WashU Medicine piqued her interest. Dr. Wooten saw the ad as a reflection of WashU’s commitment to education—a rare and significant opportunity. “Education is often deprioritized in academic medicine because it’s not a revenue generator. But a national search for this role told me WashU valued education at the highest level,” she explained.
Transitioning to St. Louis and WashU
Uprooting her life from California to St. Louis, Dr. Wooten embraced the move with her husband, a Minnesota native. Despite having no prior connections to St. Louis, she was drawn by WashU’s collaborative culture and robust support for educators. “The collegiality and the infrastructure for education here are incredible,” she remarked. The supportive community reassured her that WashU was the right place to continue her mission.
Now immersed in her role at WashU, Dr. Wooten is tackling challenges in infectious diseases head-on. One pressing issue is workforce recruitment. “Fewer people are entering the field of infectious diseases, and compensation is a big factor,” she noted. Despite the vital role infectious disease physicians play in prevention and cost-saving interventions, their work often goes underappreciated financially. Dr. Wooten aims to address this disparity while also highlighting the diverse and impactful career paths within the field.
A Vision for the Future
Dr. Wooten’s dual passions for infectious diseases and education guide her ambitious vision. She aims to elevate WashU as the premier institution for infectious diseases training and education. By fostering innovation and building a strong reputation for medical education, she hopes to attract the next generation of leaders to the field. “Infectious diseases intersect with critical global issues like climate change, health disparities, and social justice,” she emphasized, recognizing the opportunity to align the field’s mission with values important to younger generations.
In addition to workforce development, Dr. Wooten’s vision includes leveraging WashU’s new School of Public Health to strengthen collaborations between infectious diseases and public health. “The overlap between these fields is immense,” she said, advocating for dual training programs that equip physicians to address challenges at both individual and population levels.
Dr. Wooten is also dedicated to advancing research and education around emerging infectious diseases and global health threats. She sees WashU’s robust infrastructure as a unique advantage in tackling these pressing issues, from antimicrobial resistance to pandemic preparedness. By aligning efforts across disciplines, she believes WashU can set a standard for integrated, forward-thinking solutions.
An Open Invitation
As Dr. Wooten continues to navigate her new role, she welcomes collaboration and fresh ideas. “I’m always looking for input and feedback,” she said. Her message to potential collaborators is simple: “Reach out. Together, we can create something greater than the sum of its parts.”
Dr. Wooten’s journey—from aspiring English teacher to infectious diseases leader—is evidence to the power of following one’s passions and embracing unexpected opportunities. At WashU Medicine, she is poised to make a lasting impact on both her field and the next generation of physicians. With her dedication to education, research, and patient care, she is shaping a brighter future for infectious diseases and the broader medical community.