Garima Hoffmann, MD

	Joined Oct, 1986 Department: Hospital Based Specialists Title: Physician Degree: MD Interests: Any outdoor activity: running, hiking, cycling, swimming Physician Homepage
Bio I grew up near Denver and attended the University of Colorado for pre-med studies. Most summer weekends found me climbing one of the many spectacular 14,000 ft peaks. After my freshman year, I took a year-long break from my studies to work among the disadvantaged in Georgia as a VISTA volunteer. No one in my family is in medicine so I do not know where the dream came from, but being a doctor was the only thing I every wanted to do. After college I entered medical school at the University of Southern California and then came to Community Hospital of Sonoma County for a Family Practice residency. Following residency I established a solo Family Practice. After 10 years, I was attracted to Kaiser Permanente where I felt I would be able to spend my time doing what I loved - caring for patients and not dealing with the business aspects of a practice.
My Medical Specialty
More details about my specialty: The concept of Family Practice has always appealed to me since health and disease involve the whole person, the whole family. I have been fortunate to care for patients of all ages and at times, several generations at a time. A lot has changed in Sonoma County since I opened my Family Practice. At that time I was the only woman delivering babies!
Interests
The American River 50-mile Endurance Run follows the American River from Sacramento to Auburn. It is held the first weekend of April when the grass is so green, the wildflowers so plentiful and the river full and rushing through the canyon. I have been fortunate to run this several times and find it absolutely exhilarating. My favorite book or author: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith	Hobby Photos & Links: Running Finishing Marathon
Family & Friends
People in my life: I live alone but have been involved with a spiritual community for over 30 years, which is like being part of a very large family. Meditation is part of our daily activities as is physical exercise.	Photos of my Family & Friends: Unity Shanti

Travel
An adventure I've had: Mother Teresa was born and spent her early years in Skopje, Macedonia. In 2003, I went to Skopje to participate in an 18 km run in her honor named "Along Mother Teresa's Childhood Paths." We wound throughout the city, at times running on cobblestones dating back to Roman times. Afterwards, I had the privilege of meeting Sister Nirmala, Mother Teresa's successor. Favorite place in the world: Sitting at the edge of the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It is just so beautiful!	Travel Photos: With Sister Nirmala