Patricia Osmolak, MD

About Dr. Osmolak

For Patricia Osmolak, you could say the calling to a career in medicine is in her blood. Her grandfather, uncle and mother were all physicians. So are her husband, sister, two brothers-in-law…the list goes on! “We also have a large number of other healthcare professionals in my family, including dentists, pharmacists and nurses,” she exclaims. “My two younger brothers chose a completely different path and became accountants!”

As an internist and hospitalist, Dr. Osmolak works with adult patients when their medical conditions need to be treated in the hospital. “Internists are the ‘Renaissance people’ of medicine—we have many different areas of knowledge and expertise!” She truly considers it her vocation and recalls the pivotal moment that led to her chosen path. “When I was six, my father was in an accident requiring months of hospitalization and treatment. We are forever grateful to the healthcare team that saved his life.”

She chose to practice at Beacon because of the commitment to compassionate patient care, which perfectly aligns with her own philosophy. “You will often hear the most experienced physicians describe medicine as an art, and I couldn’t agree more,” she explains. “I treat each patient as a person, not as a medical condition.”

Dr. Osmolak hopes her patients will see that she’s a hardworking, honest physician who cares about them, listens to them and will always put them first. “I also hope they learn that I am a down-to-earth person who chose this profession because I love meeting, talking to and helping people.”

In her own words…

Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life? Both of my parents, in different ways. My father as an example of hard work, determination and generosity; my mother as an example of stability, patience and kindness.

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? As early as I can remember, I’ve been doing “outside chores” with my father and my siblings around the farm where I grew up.

What is your favorite food? Movie? What were your best/ worst subjects in school? Chocolate (it’s an addiction). Twister (a Helen Hunt classic). I was a complete nerd in school and always loved learning every subject.

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? Thomas Aquinas. I greatly admire Aquinas as a theologian, philosopher and doctor of the Catholic church. At a critical point in history, he espoused a philosophy of the compatibility of faith and reason, which has been very influential in my own life.

In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? My family: my husband, our two little girls and our dog. Swimming: I’ve been a competitive swimmer most of my life. Music: I appreciate most musical genres, and I’m usually humming or singing something. Classic American muscle cars: particularly Mopars!

What is something most people don’t know about you? I am absolutely terrified by horror movies. I can’t watch them at all. They give me nightmares!