Deborah Lawson, MD

Bio

I joined Kaiser Permanente in 1995 after completing my internal medicine residency at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland facility. I chose internal medicine because it is a field requiring critical thinking and application of excellent history and exam skills using a basic hands-on approach to patient care. I subsequently became a hospital-based specialist, because I thrive on the varied and complex challenges and demands that hospital medicine offers. Nothing is more gratifying than helping a patient turn around from a potentially life-threatening illness and eventually go home. I loved hospital work during my residency at Kaiser Permanente Oakland, and I knew I would work at Kaiser Permanente after I was done with residency because I had inspiring attending physicians as role models and it is the only health care system that makes sense to me. Why would I go elsewhere?

I am interested in all aspects of internal medicine and hospital medicine. I have a unique position as a hospitalist at night ("nocturnalist"). I think my treatment philosophy would best be distilled as providing my absolute best effort to every patient encounter. This includes a thorough history from the patient and relevant family members. I feel that it is essential to elicit patients' questions and concerns, so that an appropriate treatment plan can be established. I consult closely with specialists to optimize patient care when the specialists cannot be here. I engage the patient in his or her care as much as possible because health care does not stop at hospital discharge.

A sense of humor is imperative; I realize that the hospital is my oyster, but to a patient it often represents a scary and frightful environment. It is not normal to talk about bodily functions or life and death issues every day unless you are someone like me! I send a copy of the hospital admission to the primary care MD so that there is continuity of care once the patient leaves the hospital. I also engage in continuing education and have recertified in internal medicine because it is my professional responsibility to provide the best and most current care that I can to those I serve. I am a doctor whom patients will often not remember when they come into the hospital because they are on life support or they are so ill that the last thing they can remember is a name. But rest assured that if you require hospitalization in the wee hours, I will be in attendance and it will be my happy privilege to care for you.

On a personal note, I grew up in Dayton, Ohio, home of the Wright Brothers, Jonathan Winters, Erma Bombeck and other notables. I developed my strong Midwest work ethic there. My dad was a chemical engineer and often took me to his lab to run "experiments" (I am sure much to his chagrin) and fostered my interest in math and science. My mom's motto was, "You have to use your imagination." This was borne out of her poverty-stricken childhood, but it was a gift to me because I learned from her how to see potential in the mundane. Prior to medical school, my first career was as an occupational therapist in Los Angeles specializing in hand rehabilitation. I always wanted to be a doctor, though, having grown up with Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare.

I hope that you will explore the HBS homepage. In the final analysis, your health is largely in your own hands. We are here to help and educate.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

I am a hospitalist, which means that I take care of hospitalized patients only. Hospital medicine requires knowledge and skill in emergencies, quick diagnosis, and management of critical conditions, including cardiac illness, infection, and stroke, to name a few. For me it is the epitome of internal medicine.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

I specialize in night work--a nocturnist-- taking care of patients in the hospital at night. It has its own challenges because the specialists are not present in the hospital, although available by phone. I love bedside medicine and the nightshift is pure medicine: me, the patients and other night shift staff. I am a member of the AMA ,CMA, and Society of Hospital Medicine.

Current projects or research:

I am active in reviewing charts for quality assurance each month and for utilization management.

Great health resources that I refer to:

I don't think you can beat the New England Journal of Medicine for cutting edge medicine. I use "Up To Date" for current clinical information. The Cleveland Clinic Journal is another favorite.

An interesting story from my training:

When I was an intern, about 3 months into my training, I became ill with flu-like symptoms, high fever, and could barely stand up. I was a bit delirious but still managed to tell the treating doctors that I thought I might have toxic shock syndrome, which turned out to be the case. This proved to be a blessing because I subsequently diagnosed at least 6 cases (two in residency!) because of my own experience. I remember after I was well and back to work, being stunned when one of my co-interns told me that he had been afraid that I was going to die during the hospitalization. It was humbling. I didn't know how sick I had been.

Interests

Currently reading:
Capote

My favorite book or author:
Ann Rule

Great movie:
Year of the Dog

Hobby Photos & Links:

Bodega Head is a Favorite Place to Walk

House of Fabrics in Florence, Italy

the best place for online garage sales!!
pilates equipment, conferences, videos

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My husband is my high school sweetheart. He is a professor and well-published academic with a specialty in international relations of the Middle East.

My children and people I care about:

I have no children. I am a mentor and indulgent aunt to my sister's and brother's children. I take this role seriously because I think young people need as many positive role models and as much encouragement as possible.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

My husband got a free ride to UCLA for graduate school in the 1970's, so we lived in LA for a number of years. For two kids from Dayton, Ohio, we may as well have moved to the moon! I remember going to the local grocery store, Vons, and not being able to name the fresh fruits and vegetables because we were used to canned food. Seeing movie stars was also a biggy, but I always missed them while my husband would report that he had sat next to Dustin Hoffman at lunch or that he was "close enough to offer Elton John a donut." My sister and I also tried out for game shows, but we were thwarted in our attempts. We got a call back from one with good news and bad news: "We really liked you and your sister, but the show has been canceled." Thus ended my Hollywood career!

Lorna is our spoiled and somewhat arrogant Scottish Terrier. I have taught her a number of tricks. When I get home from work in the morning, she greets me at the front door but her ulterior motive is to lead me to the treat jar so that I will reward her for doing tricks. It works like a charm. She has me well-trained.

Pet Photos:

Lorna Planning Her Next Move.

Travel

An adventure I've had:

I lived in London when I was in eighth grade. My father's work took our family there. We lived in a small English village and I attended an American school. At age 13, I didn't fully appreciate all the museums and the privilege of attending Wimbledon. I do now!

Favorite place in the world:

London is my favorite city because of its rich history and the many fond memories it evokes from when my family lived there. It is a city that is amenable to endless walking tours, which is my favorite way to appreciate a place.

One of my recent trips:

This summer I visited Cincinnati. I really like Art Deco and the Netherland Hotel is a splendid example. It seems almost like a museum rather than a hotel. The union Station terminal is another wonderful example of Art Deco, also in Cincinnati. If you want to visit something very offbeat and fun, I recommend the American Sign Museum, also in Cincinnati. It has old signs from bygone motels, shopping centers, roadside diners-- a true example of nostalgia and Americana.

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

The Old Operating Theater Museum, London

Trip Photos:

The American Sign Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio