Chronic Diseases
I perform the full scope of primary care, but place a special focus on expanding lifespan and healthspan through emphasizing prevention and reversal of cardiometabolic diseases. I recognize that for many people, chronic diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and certain cancers are being driven by our Western lifestyle. I firmly believe that interventions in nutrition, activity, sleep, and distress can help combat these diseases.
Collaborative Approach
I believe treatments should be precise and nuanced, specific for each patient. I work with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan and coordinate their care with other healthcare providers as needed. My goal is for patients to be on the fewest medications at the lowest dose for the shortest time to control their diseases. If there is an adequate way to treat a disease without medication, I am willing to try it. However, sometimes medications are needed and I will work with you to try and find the right one at the right dose.
Compassion and Empathy
I believe a good physician is one that is understanding, caring, and respectful, treating patients as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms. I respect patient beliefs, values, and lifestyle, and take their individual needs into consideration when making treatment decisions. Ultimately, I want my patients to trust that I will provide them with high-quality medical care, and be someone they feel comfortable talking to and working with over time.
Communication and Patient Education
I make great attempts to be easy to see and to contact, and am responsive to patients' needs and concerns. I strive to listen to patients' questions, explain medical information in a clear and understandable way, and involve patients in their own care. Each person should understand their medical conditions and the reason for treatment. I am a proponent of quality patient education and make efforts to provide information at a personalized level of understanding. This knowledge will help empower my patients and guide the treatment decisions we make together.
Labs, Testing, and Treatments
I will review lab and diagnostic results in appropriate detail, explaining the impact of various markers and values on health and lifespan. I use this information to supplement the history and physical exam findings, which guide the treatment plans.
Evidence Based
I practice evidence-based medicine (EBM) for matters where high-quality Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) exist. In the absence of these, I rely upon society guidelines, expert opinion, and my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. I make consistent efforts to stay up-to-date on the latest medical treatments and technologies.
Osteopathic Medicine
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) are medical doctors like Doctors of Allopathic Medicine (MDs), but with extra training in the musculoskeletal system during their first two years of medical school. DOs and MDs otherwise train together during medical school and now go through the same residency programs. While this merger has made the DO moniker lose some of its uniqueness, it's overall benefited the medical profession with each perspective imparting their strengths on the new trainees. Now being practiced by many allopaths, the osteopathic tradition places an emphasis on treating patients through a holistic approach. Meaning, understanding that the body is a single unit made up of smaller parts with intricate connections between structure and function. The prescribed therapies should then be nuanced to treat the individual patient and not just a single symptom or organ. You can learn more about the osteopathic philosophy on the American Osteopathic Association website: http://www.osteopathic.org.
Weight Management
I firmly believe that people are not heavy because they lack the will-power to stay lean. See my Weight Management page for full details on my philosophy regarding why we gain and lose weight.