Physical Medicine

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? I have always been a strong proponent for patient education. Being more informed provides the individual agency over their own health and healthcare. The internet can be a vast resource of information, and from a reputable source, a very useful tool in providing patient information. STAYING HYDRATED IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR GOOD HEALTH. WITH SO MANY WATER CHOICES (MINERAL, SPRING, SPARKLING, FILTERED, ALKALINE, PURIFIED, TAP), ARE THERE ANY GUIDELINES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND? Start with clean tap water. For the health benefits and the cost, you can’t beat it. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 30S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Find an activity or an interest that involves regular exercise which gets you outside. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 50S? Continue to make your health a priority with regular exercise and eating a balanced diet. MOST MEMORABLE MEDICAL SITUATION? On a ski run. WHAT FORTHCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THAT WILL BENEFIT FUTURE PATIENTS? I am hopeful that in the future, advances in biologics and tissue engineering could prevent or reverse the normal degenerative process of aging, but I may also be just channeling my inner science fiction fantasies.

THE SO-CALLED FAUCI EFFECT (MORE INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE CAREERS, SPURRED BY COVID-19) SAW AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS IN 2021. WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR FUTURE PATIENTS? Attracting passionate applicants will only benefit the medical field by advancing medical technology, improving patient care/education, while providing greater patient access. YOUR THOUGHTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE IN SIX WORDS OR LESS: Healthcare is a fundamental right. STUDYING MEDICINE THEN VS. NOW. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? My initial interests of helping people to improve their quality of life and function have remained true over the years and I feel that this same passion drives young people entering medicine today. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Take care yourself by establishing early healthful habits of nutrition, regular exercise, a strong support system, and by making time to get outside. MOST REALISTIC MEDICAL SHOW ON TELEVISION, PAST OR PRESENT? Scrubs. It is the only medical show I have actually watched.

ALSO IN THE TOP 3 FOR PHYSICAL MEDICINE: Rebecca Dutton, Chris Patton