Tramaine Wilkinson, MD, MPH
Training
Preventive Medicine Residency: Morehouse School of Medicine
Emergency Medicine Residency: ECU/Vidant Medical Center
Education
MD: Wake Forest School of Medicine
MPH: Morehouse School of Medicine
BA in Chemistry: Georgia Southern University
BS in Psychology: Georgia Southern University
Hi, I’m Dr. Tramaine (truh-mayn), a board-certified preventive medicine physician. All physicians are trained to evaluate and treat individual patients. Preventive medicine physicians receive additional training, including earning a Master of Public Health, to care for both individuals and entire populations. That broader, population-level perspective shapes how I think about health and access to care, and it ultimately led me to write Over the Counter
to bring practical, evidence-based medical guidance directly to the public.
to bring practical, evidence-based medical guidance directly to the public.
The Moment That Sparked the Book
My first job as a physician was in the emergency department of a large rural health center. During that time, I treated an elderly woman undergoing chemotherapy who came to the ER with severe nausea and vomiting after running out of her prescribed anti-nausea medication. After stabilizing her, her daughter asked what over-the-counter or natural options might have helped prevent the visit altogether. To my surprise, neither I nor my supervising physician had an immediate, confident answer.
That moment revealed a gap in my own training. Like many physicians, my education had focused heavily on prescription medications, even for treatments that were available over the counter. I realized I did not truly know what options existed on drugstore shelves. Soon after, I began intentionally researching over-the-counter medications and visiting local drugstores to better understand what was available. That work eventually grew into the book, which expanded to include guidance on common medical conditions and evidence-informed natural remedies.
Cultural Roots
I was born in Guyana, a country in South America where access to healthcare can be limited and traditional herbal remedies, often referred to as “bush medicine,” are widely used. Although I immigrated to the United States at a young age and have spent most of my life in the metro Atlanta area, that cultural appreciation for natural remedies remained part of my upbringing. It fostered a lasting curiosity about how herbal and natural treatments can thoughtfully complement conventional medicine. Like many people, I am interested in approaches that integrate natural remedies alongside pharmaceutical treatments. That perspective influenced the inclusion of evidence-informed natural options and guidance on how to use them safely.
Physician and Patient
I am a physician, but long before I became a doctor, I was a patient. In childhood, I underwent surgery for enlarged tonsils and sleep apnea, a condition I continue to manage today. As a teenager, I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and later developed thyroid eye disease. As an adult, I have had many additional interactions with the healthcare system from the patient’s side. Navigating chronic illness, fear of medical procedures, and the financial burden of healthcare gave me a deep understanding of how overwhelming the system can feel, even for a physician. I have personally experienced medical debt, gaps in insurance coverage, and the stress that comes with managing health conditions in a costly system.
Why I Wrote Over the Counter
Over the Counter was written to equip everyday people with practical knowledge that helps them feel more confident, informed, and prepared when managing common health concerns. It is meant to complement guidance from a healthcare professional and serve as a resource for those who are uninsured, underinsured, or simply seeking clearer information before their next trip to the drugstore.
Personal
Outside of medicine, I enjoy traveling, especially cruising, and I’m a self-described foodie who loves cooking and discovering new restaurants.