Roger Kirchner, MD

Bio

I am a California native; I grew up in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. I obtained a B.A. degree at San Francisco State University (1977) and attended medical school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating in 1981. Some people say I picked up a slight mid-western "accent" while there, but I don't hear it! After medical school I returned to L.A. and completed a five-year residency in Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Yes, movie stars do go there, and no, I won't mention any names.

At the completion of residency in 1986, I entered private practice with two established surgeons. It was a superb growth experience but six years later I was ready for a change. I spent almost a year looking for a new home and made periodic weekend trips to various cities along the West Coast. Eventually I found Santa Rosa and it only took a couple of days to know that this was where I wanted to live. I moved here and joined Kaiser Permanente in 1992.

Currently, I hold the position of Chief of Surgery at the Santa Rosa Medical Center. That means I have some administrative duties; however, direct member care occupies most of my time. I perform about 350 operations per year, including those for hernia, gallstones, breast cancer, diseases of the digestive tract, colon and rectal cancer and a variety of other ailments.

There are rarely any guarantees in the medical business but I can promise you one thing: I will do my best! Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail. Yes, I do take time off now and then but I will try to respond at the earliest opportunity.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

During undergraduate school in San Francisco, I volunteered time at UCSF, and was assigned to the operating rooms. Over two summers I stocked supplies, mopped the floors, ran for blood and did other fetch and carry chores. But sometimes I got to watch operations, and oh boy, I knew then that Surgery was the specialty for me.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

There was a time when a General Surgeon was just that -- a generalist. No longer so! Today, general surgeons operate principally on abdominal organs. They also specialize in breast cancer surgery, traumatic injuries and operative treatment of melanoma. Varicose veins, hemorrhoids and removal of minor lumps and bumps fall within the specialty of general surgery, as well. This has been my field of practice for the past 20 years.

An interesting story from my training:

Every surgeon in training views his or her "Chief" with a mixture of respect and trepidation. My Chief, Dr M., always wore an immaculate white coat. He epitomized the "old school" characteristics that many of us think of when we conjure the image of a senior surgeon. One day during hospital rounds, a patient coughed up some red "tissue." Dr M. instructed one of the interns to place it in a cup and take it to the pathologist for examination. The intern hesitated; he had noticed a bowl of strawberries next to the bed. But then he came to his senses, said "Yes, Sir" and marched off to the Pathology Department, mysterious tissue in hand.

Interests

Currently reading:
Peter Hamilton

My favorite book or author:
Quality sci-fi is a favorite for escapism. Too bad Robert Heinlein is no longer alive.

Great movie:
eXistenZ (David Cronenberg)

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My special cat is "Mocha," an old boy who was rescued by Forgotten Felines. His age is unknown but I estimate about 16 or 17. Mr. Mocha is now living a life of lavish attention, constant affection and sumptuous dining. He needs to go on a diet!

Pet Photos:

This is How You Get Seconds.

You were Expecting a Brown Cat, Right?

Travel

An adventure I've had:

I enjoy visiting new places but don't care much for travel. Why hasn't anyone invented an instantaneous transporter? However, I have been to Europe a couple of times, the Caribbean, Mexico and Cuba. Yes, the Cuba trip was US government approved. In fact, I went with a medical group led by our own Dr John Freedman. I went to Fiji on a diving trip, also led by one of our own, Divemaster Dr Steve Werlin.

Favorite place in the world:

My favorite place is Sonoma County. No kidding! Sure, there are places I like to visit, but at the moment I can't think of anyplace else I would want to call home. The weather, people, the wine. What could be better?

Travel Photos:

Hand Rolled Cigars are Big in Cuba. Yes, I Tried One!