In my practice at UBMD Family Medicine, I strive to incorporate six key principles of family medicine: maintain an ongoing patient-doctor relationship, take a comprehensive approach to care, coordinate care with other health care providers, meet community needs, promote health and prevent disease and recognize the role of the family.

I review each patient’s medical history before every visit, listen carefully to the patient’s concerns and discuss issues collaboratively so that we can address the ones that are most likely to maintain or improve the patient’s health. If I have suggestions, I educate the patient about them. We then work together to arrive at a plan that allows the patient to make changes at his or her own pace. Practicing in this manner is possible with the support of colleagues at UBMD Family Medicine who also strive to provide excellent patient care guided by the key principles of family medicine.

In the area of administrative and scholarly activity, I serve as vice chair for faculty development in the Department of Family Medicine. This role includes promoting interdisciplinary collaboration at the department’s biweekly Faculty Development Workshop and Primary Care Research Forum. I have served as principal investigator for grant-supported faculty development projects on topics such as genetics in primary care, leadership, scholarship, teaching effectiveness and medical education research.

I also teach our trainees. In the Clinical Practice of Medicine course, I lead a seminar in which medical students learn how to interview patients, perform physical examinations and engage in effective patient-doctor communication. I provide clinical teaching for medical students and residents in the office and hospital settings. In addition, I mentor medical students and residents who are working on educational projects, on topics such as practicing evidence-based medicine and improving quality of care.