BS, Oakland University
MD, Washington University
Gastroenterology, (Research Fellowship) Washington University
Pediatric Surgery (Fellowship) Children's Hospital of Michigan
Peds Surgery Residency, Barnes Hospital, Washington University
Board Certified, Pediatric Surgery

I was born and raised just outside of Detroit, in an area that started out being fairly rural but as I grew up, became suburban. I stayed local for college, graduating from Oakland University in 1971 with a BS in chemistry. I was a swimmer in college and was honored by being named as a NCAA All American – my best stroke was freestyle.

I always loved science, but I wanted to serve people with science directly, so medical school was a natural choice. I was lucky enough to be admitted to a leading medical school, Washington University in St. Louis, which was my father’s hometown. I chose surgery, since I like the direct approach to the patient and coming from a family of engineers, I have always been good with my hands. I completed a general surgery residency and then a research fellowship there at Barnes Hospital.

During my surgical training I was inspired by Jesse Ternberg, MD, the first female surgical trainee at Washington University, and its first pediatric surgeon. I was so impressed with her dedication to specialized surgical care for kids that I chose the same field. To pursue this career I moved back to Detroit for a two year Pediatric Surgery Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, staying there for another three years as Director of Surgical Education. While there I passed my Boards in Pediatric Surgery, which I have since done two more times.

In 1987 I broke away from the Midwest and moved to California with my wife to be, Patte Bishop MD, also a pediatric surgeon and a longtime California resident. We both joined the pediatric surgery group at Children’s Hospital Oakland, headed by Ed Free MD, a pioneering pediatric surgeon and another admirable mentor. I have been here in the East Bay every since, practicing general pediatric surgery for 20 years. At Children’s I was honored to be elected to the Medical Staff Presidency, and am currently Chairman of the Department of Surgery.

I also have been part of Children First Medical Group since its founding in 1995, serving on the Board and also intermittently as Medical Director and Acting CEO. I am currently Chief Medical Officer and work there half time.

My wife and I left the surgical group at Children’s in July 2007. I devoted myself to CFMG as interim CEO, and look forward to our hiring a full time CEO so I can go back to being Medical Director. In March 2008, I joined Bayside Medical Group as its first pediatric specialist. Because of my multiple commitments, I have chosen to limit my surgical practice primarily to consultations and outpatient procedures. While I enjoy the challenge of administration, taking care of patients is something I hope never to give up.

Patte and I have a son who is entering college in the Fall of 2008. We enjoy gardening, eating out, and I still take the occasional swim. I have been very lucky in my life, I think, with my choice of being a pediatric surgeon, marrying my wife, having our son, and living in the East Bay.