According to Dr. Catherine Wolff’s parents, when she was just three years old, she was walking around stating she was going to be a doctor. She doesn’t recall that herself, but she tells us that, "In college, I obtained my master’s in athletic training, but as much as I loved sports, it did not hold enough diversity for me." She went on to medical school and discovered internal medicine. "I have never once gotten bored with all its fascinating intricacies."
As a general internist, Dr. Wolff cares for adults with single and multiple complex medical issues. "I see myself as the captain of the ship," she says. "I help guide my patients through the sometimes-murky waters of the medical field." Many need specialists, and sometimes multiple specialists, so Dr. Wolff is there to help monitor "the whole person" and to be an advocate for her patients.
She enjoys the long-term relationships she has built, especially seeing people succeed when the road gets rocky. "I meet my patients where they’re at and work to help them achieve their health goals," she explains of her philosophy. "If you’re 85 and your goal is to stay in your home and be as independent as possible, I’ll work with you to achieve it. If you’re 45 and have high blood pressure, I will push to get those numbers down, so you’ll have the longest and best life possible."
Over the years, Dr. Wolff’s patients have taught her that the human body is incredibly resilient, and people have amazing strength. That’s why she encourages everyone to continue to try and achieve their best health. True to her love for athletics, she says: "Life is a marathon, not a sprint."
In her own words…
Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life? Grandma – a hard working farm wife.
What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? Picking rocks out of the fields and walking beans. I remember thinking to myself, I need an education.
What is your favorite food? Movie? What were your best/worst subjects in school growing up? My favorite food is Thanksgiving dinner. Favorite movie is Miss Congeniality. Spelling was my worst subject. History was my best.
If you could sit down to dinner with anyone, alive or deceased, who would it be and why? Aretha Franklin. She was incredibly talented.
In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, interests? I enjoy home improvement projects, working on landscaping and BIG 10 football.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I love to roast my own coffee beans. I have planted over 100 trees on my property.
Catherine Wolff, DO - Beacon Medical Group Ireland Road South Bend address and phone
