Schneck Medical Center Welcomes Dr. Courtney Savilla

Dr. Courtney Savilla is a hospitalist joining Schneck Hospital Medicine Associates. Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in the care of patients that require a hospital stay. Dr. Savilla received her medical degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

Dr. Savilla is the recipient of the Katinka Kersten, MD, Award for Excellence in Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine presented by The University of Missouri Department of Child Health Division of Pediatric Hospitalists.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Huntington, West Virginia, but grew up about 30 minutes away in Putnam County. I had good timing in joining the basketball team my freshman year in high school when we won the state tournament! I was also a member of the state championship track team, a competitive dancer, and a member of numerous clubs. In college, I was a part-time child life volunteer at Ruby Memorial Hospital, and a full-time “Mountaineer Maniac” rooting for the Mountaineers!

Please tell us about your family. I have been married to my husband, Brian, since 2013. Although he has worked many different jobs to support me through medical training, he is a teacher by trade. We have no children, but do have a 55-pound Bernedoodle named Nessie with more personality than a lot of humans. Our families are originally from West Virginia, however my parents and brother now live in Missouri, and my sister lives in Colorado. We have two nieces and two nephews back in West Virginia, and I have two goddaughters in Idaho.

What hobbies do you enjoy? I have always enjoyed reading. COVID gave me an excuse to really get into houseplants and gardening as well. I love a good nap, and a therapeutic visit to the local Ulta/Sephora. My husband and I enjoy traveling, visiting friends and family, trying new restaurants and breweries, and spending time outside with Nessie. During residency, we played in an adult kickball league!

What is the one place you would most like to visit? I have been very fortunate to have traveled to many of my “bucket list” locations, including Santorini, Ireland, Italy, and St. Lucia, but I have wanted to visit the Yucatan Peninsula since studying Mayan history in school many years ago.

When did you know you wanted to be a physician? I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a physician! My mom can tell you stories about me at 2-3 years old trying to diagnose my grandparents with the flu, and my childhood idol was Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. I even dressed as her for Halloween when I was in kindergarten!

What do you like most about practicing medicine? The relationship between doctor and patient is unlike any other. In their most vulnerable moments, patients trust their doctors with their lives, sometimes after only knowing each other for a few minutes. I don’t take that privilege lightly. I want to validate that trust, by either fixing or improving their problem, or if that isn’t possible, doing all I can to ease their suffering. In some cases, I can give them the tools to prevent further issues down the road.

What is your most memorable patient story? In medical school, after explaining constipation to a little girl, she said, “Gosh, I never knew there could be so many problems in life!”

What attracted you to work at Schneck Medical Center? Throughout medical school and residency, I was told I would have to eventually choose between internal medicine and pediatrics. I knew I didn’t want to do that, especially after being trained in both, and I also knew I wanted to practice in the hospital. This made for quite the checklist in a prospective job, and Schneck fit the bill. After my interview and meeting everyone, I knew this would be a great fit for me both personally and professionally. I love the small town family feel that reminds me of home, and how welcoming everyone has been to us. Since signing on, they have treated me as one of their own and I can’t imagine working anywhere else!