NRMP Code: 117615

Chairman and Program Director's Statement

"To save a single life is as to save the entire world."—Proverb

The practice of medicine aims to save individual lives, but in the broader sense, we work in support of the health of the community at large. In treating the individual, we emphasize comprehensive and compassionate care of the whole person. Treating the whole patient, in turn, requires a commitment to the communities where our patients, and we, live, work, and worship.

The profession of medicine will never be just a job. Medicine is a most noble calling. When we dedicate ourselves to this calling, we can expect sincere satisfaction and the sense of personal worth that comes from knowing that we have fulfilled our covenant with our patients, our profession, and society.

The task of providing comprehensive medical care requires dedicated physicians who are knowledgeable and committed to life-long learning. Compassionate care requires empathetic physicians who are committed to communicating with our patients and with each other. These physicians must be able and willing to listen to our patients. They must also be attentive to the economic impact that medical decisions make on our patients and community.

At Lutheran General Hospital's Department of Medicine and Medicine Residency Program, the mission is threefold: to provide comprehensive and compassionate medical care to our patients, to foster an environment of scholarship and life-long learning, and to work in a community of colleagues with the highest ethical standards.

As a graduate of Lutheran General’s Residency Program, I can attest to the value of our Institution and Teaching Program.  After completion of my Internal Medicine Residency, I completed a 2 year fellowship at Duke University.  It is reassuring to report that my training at Lutheran General prepared me for a fellowship at a university of the caliber of Duke.

The Residency in Internal Medicine at Lutheran General Hospital is uniquely positioned to train well-rounded, exceptional internists.  The advantage is outpatient training.  At Lutheran General, the Nesset Pavilion provides an outstanding opportunity to learn and practice outpatient medicine.  This skill will be vitally important to all internal medicine physicians in their careers.  Clearly, general internists need a solid office experience.  However, Hospitalists also need to understand outpatient medicine to communicate with colleagues and formulate discharge plans.  Sub-specialists may benefit the most from our outpatient environment.  Many fellowships are hospital and consultant based, however, most sub-specialists have office hours and need a core training in office based practice.  I hope we at Lutheran General fit into your post-graduate training plans.

            Biographical sketch:

• Medical School:  Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1985-89
• Internship:  Chicago Osteopathic Hospital, 1989-90
• Residency:  Lutheran General Hospital, 1990-93
• Fellowship:  Duke University Geriatrics 1993-95
• Faculty Appointment:  Assistant Clinical Professor, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School, 1998 to Present
• Board Certifications:  Internal Medicine, Geriatrics & Hospice and Palliative Medicine
• Division Chief Geriatrics:  2000 to Present
• Program Director Geriatrics Fellowship:  2000 to Present
• Division Chief General Internal Medicine:  2006 to Present
• Vice-Chair, Department of Medicine:  2006 – 2008
• Interim Chairman and Program Director, Department of Medicine, Lutheran General Hospital:  2008 to Present
• Member:  Fellow, American College of Physicians, American Geriatrics Society, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, American Osteopathic Association, National Association of Inpatient Physicians