My dad was one of those do-it-all family doctors from back in the day—the kind who regularly got a call in the middle of the night to come deliver a baby. He saw many of the people in our Michigan town, and then he also saw their children, and their children’s children.
This was the life I knew as a kid. In other words, I was destined to be a doctor. It took me longer than most, though, to pin down what type of doctor I wanted to be. It was important to me that I be able to develop long-lasting relationships with my patients the way my dad had with his, but family medicine didn’t feel like the right fit.
In time, I realized I enjoyed the challenge of surgical procedures, and I was good at them. As I progressed through an orthopedic surgery residency, I also began to appreciate the deep satisfaction that came from helping patients of all ages regain their mobility and discover a new lease on life.
My residency also led me to my wife. She—a first-year podiatry resident—and I were called to consult on an ankle fracture. Twenty-five years of marriage and four kids later, medicine remains a sort of family affair for me.
A lot has changed over the 26 years that I’ve been an orthopedic surgeon, but some things remain the same. For one, I will always endorse a conservative approach to treatment whenever it’s appropriate. Surgery, while effective, shouldn’t always be the first and only option.
Second, I continue to believe that I am partnering with my patients, rather than assuming an authoritative position and steering them blindly through what can be an overwhelming situation.
All of the decisions around their care, we make together, after deliberate and thorough conversations. They need all of their questions answered, just as I need all of mine answered. After all, the best treatment plan is the one supported not just by science but also by trust.
My practice welcomes referrals for most types of orthopedic procedures, and we accept most insurance providers, as well as Medicare.