"Doctor Holtrop recommended a walking program then met me on the trail"

A healthy lifestyle of diet, exercise  and weight management will always be part of my recommendations.  I'm not talking go eat tofu and rice cakes forever;  I push moderation in everything.  I follow patients on bike rides, hiking trips and gym visits to name a few.  I want to push you to your potential before we start down the path of medications.  By looking at your "big picture" we can avoid future complications and lessen the need for medications.  Clearly if you need medications I can expertly guide you through the process, the point is to optimize you first then go down the medication path.  As your concierge Doctor in St. George it will be a pleasure to chase you around the miles of wonderful trails southern Utah has to offer us.

The average patient spends less than 10 minutes with the doctor during an office visit; As your concierge Doctor I never will.  Every day I find physician mistakes in patient care and most of it is due to not spending enough time to figure out what is going on.  In private practice you have to see a high volume of patients per day to make ends meet, I have never done this.  Long appointments lead to more complete care, less mistakes and a healthier patient.  Our St. George clinic has 30 minute visits for routine issues and one hour visits for physicals or more complicated issues.  

Not being able to make an office visit should not be a roadblock to visiting your concierge Doctor.  I can come to your office, your house or where ever we need to meet.  The goal is not to perform all your care at your office, the goal is to have the option when the situation dictates it.  Sick while on travel?  Facetime or call me;  we can figure out what's going on and I can call in a prescription anywhere in the country.    I can extend my care anywhere in the United States and consult anywhere in the world.  An example was a patient who became sick in Mexico: we arranged a private jet to the United States  and I ambulanced the patient directly from the airport to my ICU.  She walked out cured a few days later. Your personal, private physician is based in St. George but the access to me is worldwide.

Hospitals can be scary and confusing places; not only for you but also your family.  I have nearly 20 years of experience with life support, critical care and cardiology.   I can work with you and the staff physicians to guide you efficiently through the hospital.   A staff physician will be assigned to your case and I will work closely with them.   This is also a time when I keep the family updated on your condition.  Daily updates are a huge stress relief for patients and families.

Just like the picture; A tune up.  Skin cancer screening head to toe every  year because 60% of adults have it now.  I teach the breast exam (checkontheGIRLS.org) using a technique I developed to improve home breast cancer detection.  Prostate or cervical cancer screening.  Review of colonoscopy status and recommendations.  Full lab review ruling out anemia's, bone  marrow disorders, renal and liver health and vitamin levels.  Vascular testing in the office to evaluate stroke risk and stress testing if needed.  Bedside scanning of all your major organs to make sure nothing  is growing that would have been missed by labs alone.  Bone density monitoring and immunization management.  Lastly review all of your personal medical conditions and discuss any outside testing that may be needed.   Most patients split this workup into 2-3 visits, it boils down to whatever works for you.   If you still have doubts read the "changing lives..." blog in the main menu.