CLEBURNE, Texas - Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital recently welcomed a new physician to its medical staff. Dr. Heather McKenzie began her role as a family physician in the Cleburne area on May 16.

McKenzie grew up in Joshua, Texas, and was inspired to become a doctor when she first met Dr. Mike White, her family physician.

'When I was five, I told my mom that I wanted to become a doctor like Dr. White,' she said. 'It's only fitting that I'm back working with the man who inspired me and served as a mentor all these years.'

As she worked through college and medical school, White mentored her along the way.

'He encouraged me to pursue my dream, and I am thrilled to come home and serve my community as a family physician,' McKenzie said.

Board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, McKenzie earned her medical degree from University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She joins the medical staff at HMWR from the Medical Clinic of Castroville where she served as a Family Medicine Physician/OB.

McKenzie and her husband, Bryan, have two children: 5-year-old Blake and 2-year-old Hunter.

Her office is located at Family Medicine Associates, PA, 3517 SW Wilshire, Joshua, Texas.

About Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital
Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital is affiliated with Texas Health Resources and is a full-service, 137-bed acute care hospital with more than 50 physicians on the medical staff. Honors bestowed on Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital include:

• Received the Texas Health Care Quality Improvement Award from TMF in 2005 and 2006
• Received the highest level of accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) for 2004-2007
• 2007 Premier/Carescience Select Practice National Quality Award
• 2007 Premier Award for Quality for Heart Failure

About Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health care delivery systems in the United States and the largest in North Texas in terms of patients served. THR controls 13 affiliated hospitals and a medical research organization, and is a corporate member or partner in seven additional hospitals and surgery centers. THR's family of hospitals includes Harris Methodist Hospitals, Arlington Memorial Hospital and Presbyterian Healthcare System. For more information about Texas Health Resources, visit www.texashealth.org.