At the age of seven, Dr. Applewhite loved to skateboard until a wipeout changed his summer plans and unexpectedly set him on a path to his professional future. “It was the first day of summer vacation after first grade, and I broke my femur,” he says. “They put a pin in my leg, and I was in traction for about three weeks, followed by a body cast for two months”.
The experience made a lasting impression. Dr. Applewhite found that he really liked the doctors who cared for him—sparking an early interest in medicine that never faded. “As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to help people. As a doctor, knowing I can have a significant impact in the lives of my patients and their families is very rewarding and provides a sense of fulfillment,” he says.
Dr. Applewhite has been committed to the Fort Worth community for nearly two decades. He values the long-term relationships he has developed with every one of his patients. “With a foundation in the practice of general urology, I am particularly interested in stone disease and complex percutaneous stone removal,” he explains.
As a founder of Urology Partners, he’s been honored by patients’ reaction to the new practice. “It’s been particularly gratifying to hear words of encouragement from so many of my patients as we begin our new practice—that they want me to know they see me as their urologist and the person they trust.”
That trust has been hard earned. “It sounds pretty simple,” he says, “but I really do care about my patients and providing them with the attention and high-quality treatment they deserve. My goal is to empower patients with an understanding of their diagnosis and options. This is coupled with giving them the time they need to share their concerns. Many areas of urology can be difficult to talk about. It’s my hope that patients feel comfortable and realize that what they share is personal and private—there are no judgements. I respect each patient as a unique individual, and that influences the way we talk in the exam room, what we talk about, and how we approach their treatment.”
Dr. Applewhite is excited to work alongside partners in a practice that is very clear about its physician-led mission—patients first. “We believe it offers patients better care and leads to better outcomes,” he adds. “Nothing is more rewarding than helping patients get back to their normal, healthy lives.”
A cum laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Applewhite received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He completed his residency in urology, including two years of general surgery, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
When he’s not caring for his patients, the Fort Worth resident enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife, Melissa, and two children, and attending football games at Notre Dame. When at home, his happy place is in his backyard grilling and watching college sports.
