MaryJo A. Houston, MD

Mary Jo’s father is a Family Physician in rural central Pennsylvania. His office was in their home until Mary Jo was a teenager. He was active in raising money to start the first Health Center in Perry County. Her father always told her “the only way to be your own boss is to be a physician.” Growing up with her twelve brothers and sisters, Mary Jo knew family was important to her, but she had not decided on what she would do in the future. Her father’s influence proved to have a profound affect on her career path. Mary Jo finished Penn State and enrolled in Hahnemann Medical School. She completed her Residency at Forbes Regional in 1988. After starting in private practice Mary Jo really started to enjoy being a physician, and decided “hey this is alright”. She found she loved the dynamics that evolve around family and peoples’ health. Mary Jo is particularly interested in depression, anxiety disorders, and counseling. Prior to finally deciding on medicine Mary Jo had thought of being a teacher or a psychiatrist. Her Dad says she wanted to be a go-go dancer. Mary Jo and her husband have six children. She enjoys reading anything non medical, planting flowers and gardening, baking and being in her kitchen with her kids and sisters. Mary Jo serves a PTG board member at her children’s’ school. I guess you could say becoming a Family Practice Physician has helped Mary Jo achieve all her career goals, teaching and counseling are a large part of Mary Jo’s daily practice. Don’t look for her to have on go-go boots though!

Education: Pennsylvania State University: BA State College, PA Hahnemann University: MD Philadelphia, PA Residency: West Penn Hospital: Forbes Regional Campus Monroeville, PA Board Certification: American Board of Family Practice Hospital Affiliations: 1. West Penn Hospital:       Forbes Regional Campus 2. UPMC Shadyside 3. HealthSouth Hospital of Pittsburgh 4. UPMC Braddock