I spend my morning doing hospital rounds, and then have office appointments.  Because heart patients are complex, the clinical cardiologist is a valuable resource; for example, in distinguishing heart failure from pneumonia or chronic pulmonary disease; in choosing the best anti-hypertensive regimen.  Sadly, most cardiac problems are managed and not cured, and regular follow-up is important.

THE CONSTANT WALKER.

I will admit to not exercising enough, but will also report that I have walked 28 miles the week ending June 5.  I am pleased to report that at my weight and at 3 mph, this consumes nearly 10 hours, and 400 calories per hour. 

Walking is restorative, where a decade ago I thought jogging was mandatory and punitive.  I will frequently walk along the beach, and hesitate to say that, because the personals in the paper always say they love walking on the beach.

I think it is the sound of the surf that is restorative, and that it washes nagging thoughts away.  This week, however, the beach was littered with spaghetti seaweed, which I am informed is a favorite of manatees, and does not smell.

THE MIDLIFE ADULT

I grew up in Germany, as part of the post-war occupation, in the Ami-siedlung (the American colony) in Munich, and then in Nuernberg, where we lived off base.  In a fit of nostalgia, I'll go back this summer, after 40 years, to rediscover the joys of bratwurst and wiener-schnitzel, an ill-timed trip because it won't coincide with Oktoberfest.

 I am vaguely surprised to find that I have been a Doctor for 30 years. In those decades I have been happily married and blessed by watching two daughters grow into adulthood, but alas not yet into self-support, as the joys of education are never ending.

THE FORMATIVE YEARS

(And what I presume you are most interested in, pardon my self-indulgence)

BSEE         SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY, DALLAS, TEXAS, 1975.  I was allowed, as an Institute Scholar, to complete my pre-medical requirements along with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

MD             UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL SCHOOL, DALLAS, TEXAS, 1979.  Yes, the best medical school in the world. Perhaps in the universe.

PGY 1 AND 2, GENERAL SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HOSPITALS, MIAMI, FLORIDA.  What can I say?  I met my wife and decided I didn't want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.

PGY 1, 2, AND 3, INTERNAL MEDICINE, CHARLOTTE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.  Now called Carolinas Medical Center.  My unending gratitude to Dr. Marvin McCall, my progam director, for having shown me the way.  He was a great physician and a gentleman.

PGY 4, 5, AND 6.  FELLOWSHIP IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS, ATLANTA, GEORGIA.  The big time.  Where giants walked the wards. . .

BOARD CERTIFIED IN INTERNAL MEDICINE, 1984

BOARD CERTIFIED IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, 1987

FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY, 1989