A letter to my patients:  

 

Since finishing training over 15 years ago, I have had the rare privilege of practicing medicine in a thorough, unhurried fashion thanks to you. 
 

Over the years, you have joined with me in prioritizing this "village doctor" practice model where we take the time needed to optimize your health, no matter what is happening around us in our country's broken health care system.  It is this dedication that allows both of us to feel good at the end of the day, knowing that important issues have been addressed early and thoroughly, preventing more serious problems. And many years ago when you came to me with questions about supplements and holistic treatments, I began the journey to answer them, leading to board certification in the exciting field of Integrative Holistic Medicine which allows me to combine conventional medicine with the best evidence-based practices of holistic medicine. This is, without a doubt, the best way to practice medicine. Thank you for opening my eyes.
 

As we both know, spending time together is critical to getting to the right diagnosis the first time.  And when I have the time to call your specialists and pharmacist to coordinate your health care long after you leave my office, we are both the better for it.  I truly wish every doctor and patient could have this luxury of unhurried delivery of health care. 
 

Personally, it is such a pleasure to be a part of your life and to ride along on your journey through graduations, weddings, pregnancies, career changes, and raising children.
 

And I feel you alongside me as I journey through my milestones.  I have learned so much from you, and continue to do so every day.  
 

So my friend, here's to you:  May you live and love with joy in good health.  May you stop and relish the sweetness in life's simple moments.  And may you take them--the simple moments--and breathe them in and slow life down for just that long.  It only takes a moment to smile. You remind me of that every day.
--Alexis