Medical Philosophy
I like to get to know my patients—what they do for work, about their families, their life events. If I can figure out what’s going on behind the curtain, I can get to the root of things to make people feel better, not just treat cholesterol. My medical philosophy is rooted in good clinical analysis, be direct without sugar-coating, offer a plan, connect with the patient, and build the trust that will allow the physician to really help.
Why Focusing on Cardiology?
Many people have asked me, why cardiology? I really tried to like dermatology, with its cushy lifestyle and lack of emergencies. In fact, while an intern in Medicine, I applied for dermatology residencies. While interviewing at Penn, I happened to be on a Cardiac Critical Care rotation—long hours, every third night on call. But the whole time I was at Penn, I couldn’t wait to get back to the CCU. Cardiology is serious (everything has to be cleared by cardiologists to proceed in the hospital). And it is often life or death. But it is a field where some of the most important advances in prevention, screening, longevity, and treatments have occurred. So much has changed for the better in the last 30 years. Always keeping my father’s wisdom in mind, I laughed my way with many patients through their heart attacks and admissions to the hospital, all while attending to the details to help people to survive. When a patient is having a heart attack, he or she wants to survive first and foremost, but also to feel better. The feeling better starts with the first encounter. Distraction through laughter while giving orders to the nurses. Walking and chewing gum at the same time—the hallmarks of good medicine.
An Humane Approach to Medicine
As for my style, it is to analyze, be direct without sugar-coating, and offer a plan. And have fun. It is always gratifying when someone says that he has astonished his friends by saying he was looking forward to a visit with his cardiologist. I like to get to know my patients—what they do for work, about their families, their life events. If I can figure out what’s going on behind the curtain, I can get to the root of things to make people feel better, not just treat cholesterol. So many symptoms that seem cardiac, or are cardiac, are caused by anxiety and addiction, and so I’ve had to learn about both in detail. Most of what I need to practice medicine was only learned once I started in practice. For instance, I came to understand that some view taking medication as a personal failure. I also met people who, after losing a parent to a heart attack at 50, lived their entire lives believing they carried the same expiration date. Without really knowing the patient, blood pressures can be treated and cholesterol fixed. But I cannot make people feel better if I don’t peel the onion. To be a great physician, one needs to be well-read (I read every day to stay up to date), and a bit compulsive about details. But one must also sit back and listen to the patient. Connect, and build the trust that will allow the physician to really help. For centuries, physicians have been trusted not only as healers but also as counselors. I strive to carry on that time-honored tradition while practicing at the forefront of cutting edge medicine.
Location
Address
635 Madison Avenue
Suite 1401
Midtown Manhattan
New York, NY 10022
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Contact
Phone: (212) 583-2999
Fax: (212) 593-6250
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TESTIMONIALS