When asked if he could snap his fingers and land someplace where it would be, Dr. Luke Wren, DO, of Avon Family Health, had a ready answer. He’d play a round (or as many as he could) at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, home to the annual Masters Tournament. He’s grateful to have scored a ticket to that revered event back in 2018, which is when he added playing at Augusta to his bucket list.
Golf ranks high on Dr. Wren’s list of hobbies. Locally, his new favorite is The Fort Golf Course on Indianapolis’ northeast side. If you were to invite Dr. Wren for a tee time, be prepared for a lively debate on who the best golfer of all time is. According to Dr. Wren, only two options exist: Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. However, he’s also keeping an eye on Scottie Scheffler’s promising talent of today.
Backing up to Augusta National, the “blooming azaleas, towering pines and flowering dogwoods” are certainly part of the appeal for Dr. Wren. But there’s another factor, and it is a topic he is passionate about because it comes up daily in his office with adolescents, teenagers, young adults and parents.
“There is a complete ban on phones and other electronic devices at Augusta, and I think that’s wonderful,” said Dr. Wren. “People may be surprised to learn how significantly cell phones and social media impact our mental health, and not in a good way. I am deeply concerned about the shift from play- and outdoor-based childhoods to those ruled by the Internet. Our kids struggle to learn, and our teens have trouble connecting with others. It’s a real problem.”
Dr. Wren’s childhood in Crawfordsville was a stark contrast to the constant stimulation of today’s digital age. His parents encouraged outdoor play, from bike riding to team sports and turning on the sprinkler on hot days. These memories helped develop his curiosity and ability to relate to others, both traits important in healthcare.
Dr. Wren deleted his social media accounts almost 15 years ago and hasn’t looked back, though he understands “going cold turkey” would be challenging now. To parents, he recommends reading the book, “The Anxious Generation.” Written by a social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt, and published this past spring, the text may help give parents the courage and tools to diminish their children’s reliance on electronic devices.
There’s another reason Dr. Wren is partial to the outdoors. He met his best friend, now his wife, while working at a church camp, and the two have continued volunteering at a camp to this day! They bonded over their mutual love of The Office. The main character in the sitcom, Michael Scott, keeps the Wrens laughing with his “seriously” funny ways.
A few of Dr. Wren’s other favorite things include drawing, cooking (his wife’s favorite is shrimp risotto) and playing board games and sports. However, these activities are on hold because the Wrens recently welcomed their first child and Dr. Wren plans to spend all his free time snuggling and staring in awe.
