Direct communication with me or my assistant during business hours.

When you call my office during office hours there will be no recordings or answering services to navigate only real people to take your call, with a real concern for your health and well-being. In the event that you need to leave a message on our recording, your phone call will be returned promptly. If you deem your problem urgent, I will make every effort to speak to you at the time of your call.

My personal cell phone number will be provided to you.

This allows easy and direct communications should an urgent matter arise outside of my regular office hours. I will use my reasonable best efforts to be available off-hours to help coordinate your care. You may also send a text message to my cell phone for truly urgent issues outside office hours. For true emergencies, however, always call 911 first.

Convenient communication for non-urgent health issues or questions.

You will receive a prompt response from me personally (usually within 24 hours). You may send me a text message if a brief communication is appropriate. Because email and text communications are not always secure, please use discretion when choosing topics to discuss with me via these platforms. Your patient portal is the best way to communicate securely and confidentially.

Little or no office waiting room time, and longer appointments.

Office visits will start promptly minimizing exposure to sick patients. Appointments will generally be scheduled for 30 minutes, but some appointments (for example, a Comprehensive Annual Health Assessment) will be scheduled for 60-90 minutes. My aim is to provide us with ample time to thoroughly address all your questions and concerns, regardless of the reason for your visit.

Extended office hours.

Office visits are best scheduled when the full complement of staff is available. However, should you require an occasional visit outside of my usual office hours, I will certainly do my best to reasonably accommodate you.

Strong focus on preventive medicine and long-term health and wellness.

As part of my commitment to your long-term health and wellness, my philosophy is to educate you about the importance of fitness, weight management, healthy living and nutrition. In addition to the clinical services I already offer through my practice, I will assist you to identify and evaluate wellness providers and offerings. This will support your effort to take an active role in managing and maintaining good health.

With rare exceptions you will always be seen by me.

Unlike traditional primary care practices where you may need to schedule an appointment with the first available doctor, you will always be seen by me. During my occasional absence from the office, a trusted colleague will be available for urgent issues.

Personalized hospital care.

Should you need to be hospitalized, I will make myself available when I can to communicate with you and to serve as an advocate on your behalf, even when you are admitted to a facility at which I do not have privileges or where I am not your attending physician. If you wish, unless hospital policy or protocol does not allow, I will do what I reasonably can to remain involved in your care by communicating with the hospitalists or other attending physicians who are providing services to you.

“Virtual” consultations and long-distance care.

Whether you are on a brief vacation, living some of the year in another residence, or otherwise unable to come to the office, I will offer a “virtual” consultation as determined on a case-by-case basis, at my discretion and subject to applicable state law requirements. However, if in my judgment you need to be seen by a local physician, you will be encouraged by me to seek medical attention. I will communicate with you directly, as well as with your treating physician as needed, to support the coordination of your care on health issues that may arise.

Enhanced coordination of care.

With a smaller, more patient-focused practice, there will be ample time to coordinate care with specialists.

Seminar groups.

I will host meetings to discuss a variety of timely health issues and offer an opportunity for small group interaction. Quarterly newsletter on topics relevant to your health and well-being. I will provide seasonal newsletters on medical subjects of interest.