What About Alan (DrGreene)?

Like me, Alan has always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.  As a teen he spent a summer in a third-world country and worked with a nurse giving care to poor villagers.  It changed him forever and set him on the course to become a physician with a deep conviction that as a doctor he could make a profound difference in the world.

Alan studied the history and philosophy of science at Princeton and graduated in 1981.  He moved to California for medical school at University of California at San Francisco.  From there he joined the house staff at Children’s Hospital Oakland.  He was just finishing a long shift in the ER on Oct. 17, 1989 when the Loma Prieta earthquake shook the Bay Area.  When the call came for doctors to go to the Cypress Structure, Alan didn’t hesitate.  Through the nights and days that followed, Alan wove in and out of the rubble searching for survivors in the collapsed freeway.  He was profoundly shaken by the immense destruction -- another experience that deepened his desire to impact the world.

In 1993 after finishing residency, serving as chief for a year and a half, and studying as a hem-onc fellow for six months, Alan left Children’s Hospital Oakland and joined a private practice in San Mateo.  He found delight in caring for families – from the birth of their children, through illnesses, and normal development. The whole experience was rewarding.  He was absolutely energized by witnessing the birth of babies and delighted in providing care for newborns.  He soon realized that he wasn’t part of the team soon enough.  He began teaching prenatal classes at the local hospital where he connected with expecting moms and dads well before their baby was born.

By 1995 his practice was pleasantly full and he was enjoying the rich experience of caring for children as they grew.  But as he became more and more popular as a pediatrician he realized that he did not have enough time to spend with the families in his practice.  If his patients were basically healthy kids, he might not see them for long stretches and then when he did see them their time together was limited by the economic constraints of running a medical practice.  Beyond annual physicals and sports physicals, families were hesitant to make an appointment to discuss non-urgent issues.  He was often not a part of the family’s life at pivotal times.  His input was not available during critical development and health decision-making situations.  What could he do to change this seemingly grid locked situation?