Meet the expert

My first medical school rotation led me to a mentor who was caring, intelligent and wanted to make a difference in the lives of their patients- I knew right away that I wanted to follow their path.

I think the most memorable case I can recall is a patient where I came to the conclusion that no matter how much we treated their obvious physical problem- that they were so lost in a world of medication and dependency that they could not expect to feel better- until they worked not just on the physical side of the equation but the mental/psychological end of the equation as well. I tried to encourage them to find a way forward, focusing more on their overall health and well-being and what I felt was a likely medication dependency even more than the physical issues they were dealing with. I felt it without such an approach they were not going to ever feel better. I’ve kept them in mind many other times since.

I particularly enjoy the challenge of trying to be someone’s consulting physician though I never get the opportunity to meet them or follow up on their outcome. I find it both exciting and at times frustrating because I do enjoy the follow up with my own patients. I want to make sure that I put down everything that I can possibly think of and answer all the questions that I think they should be asking whether have thought of them or not. I enjoy that challenge a great deal. I won’t get a second chance, so I want to make sure that I’ve done the best I can for them. I don’t know what other kind of resources may or may not be available to them, otherwise. I want them to be able to ask questions and become more involved in making their own best decisions.

Having worked with Expert Service for quite a few years now, I have much appreciated what a remarkable service it is to be able to provide outside advice and expertise to individuals who might not otherwise have such an opportunity. It really breaks down barriers. Also, it allows medical care to be pushed to a higher level as people begin to understand the types of remarkable advances in treatment that have become available to them. It is not unusual for me to have to do some additional research on the particulars of one aspect of some of the patients I review, especially as there are differences in the types of care that are both available and preferred from one medical setting to the next. It’s been a real learning experience for me as well.

I’m most proud of my years of teaching and working with students on patient care and research- it provides a sense of continuity that allows medical care to continue to evolve over time. It feels like the opportunity to get back to something for the greater good.

I’ve volunteered for many years working with students and student athletes at multiple schools and with US team sports in international competitions. My wife and I are very involved in volunteering in the area of education.

I honestly believe that Teladoc provides a remarkable service. And my congratulations to them for all they have accomplished. It’s really quite a marvel from what I can tell.