Alan Larocque, MD, PhD

Bio

My mother was English and my father was French-Canadian. A war-time romance in England led to marriage, with my brother and I being born shortly there after. I was born in Haslemere, Surry in 1946. We migrated to Canada a few years later and took residence in Niagara Falls. Regretfully, my mom and dad passed away within a few years.

I was fortunate to have been taken under the wing of numerous foster families, from many different walks of life, that nurtured me through my early, formative years. It was during those years that I had the opportunity to become involved with the health care profession on several occasions, as a patient. I remember most the fractured elbow sustained while tobogganing and an injured foot sustained in a motorcycle accident. As I reflect back, I realize that during each of the associated hospitalizations I was treated by compassionate, empathetic health care providers--the kind of individuals that reach down to those that have fallen, to offer a helping hand.

Well, my broken elbow needed therapy to straighten it, and my orthopedic surgeon recommended rowing. That lead to a rather extensive career in that sport with 16 years of international competition and a rowing scholarship to Boston University.

At Boston University, I entered the College of Engineering. During my undergraduate years, I needed a little guidance so I took time out to enlist in the USMC for a two year commitment. Follow that, I returned to Canada for the World Rowing Championships and then back to Boston to finish my BS in biomedical engineering.

I spent the next few years in a series of jobs--I managed real estate, worked as a plumber, and then as an exercise physiology teaching assistant. It wasn't till I was 28 that I was able to draw upon my life's experiences and direct my talents to a career in medicine. Initially I considered a career in research and acquired a MD-PHD in neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, but the more patient contact I had the more the humanitarian rewards of being a physician came to the forefront. We all have different gifts and for me visual imagery is one of my strongest assets. Radiology proved to be a very good match for my talents and after 6 years of post graduate training within the Harvard system, which included my radiology residency and neuroradioly fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital, I finished my formal training. All this at the ripe age of 40.

So, how did I end up in Santa Rosa? One of my best friends in medical school was Steve Rich whom is presently the Chief of Family Medicine here at Kaiser Santa Rosa. Steve had come from California and before returning home after his medical school training he told me I should look him up after finished in Boston. So I did. He was in Santa Rosa, so we came to visit. We feel in love with everything about the area--the people, the topography, the agriculture, to name a few.

I was fortunate to be able to get a job with Kaiser Permanente. That was in '86 and as I have repeatedly told the members of the Medical Imaging Department, I wouldn't move anywhere else. At Kaiser Permanente, I have the freedom to do what is best for the patient without outside influences. It is a wonderful way to practice.

Before I close this section I would like to say a few words about my family. Kathy is a beautiful person who is strongly rooted in honesty and integrity. She is smart, a great mother, and challenging when she wants to be. She is an Attorney with the Sonoma County Counsel's Office. Jenny is my oldest daughter who is 18 going on 21. Presently she is a senior at Santa Rosa High School. Jenny loves classical dance and a multitude of other things. Cynthia, is the second of my two children. She is 15 going on 18. Like Jenny see loves dance. She also plays soccer, and sings. Both my girls are intellectually gifted and will be able to accomplish whatever they so choose.

So now you know a little about me.

In closing this section I would mention that my web page is meant to be informative and educational. I will try to provide pertinent information and links to sites with the intent of educating, helping, and empowering those I come in contact with. Remember, at Kaiser Permanente you can truly THRIVE!

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

One of the greatest things about being a physician is that at the end of day I feel good about the way I earned my keep. I did it by helping people in all walks of life, at all ages, and at all the different stages of living. It is extremely personally rewarding. It leaves me feeling good inside.

In reference to radiology, the subspecialty is at the center of medicine. From an intellectual perspective, nearly every interesting and challenging case comes through radiology, not to mention the technological advances that endlessly enrich our practice.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

Neuroradiology

Great health resources that I refer to:

Google! There are many, many very reputable resources on Google, and it is very easy to search.

Another excellent site for researching any issues related to breast cancer is http://www.breastcancer.org/

Interests

Currently reading:
Street Rod Builder, Street Rodder, Mopar, Mopar Muscle, Sculptor, Fine Woodworking, Fine Home Building, Fine Gardening, Woodsmith, Radiology Journal, American College of Neuroradiology Journal, American College of Radiology Journal

My favorite book or author:
Christopher Alexander

Great movie:
Live Free Die Hard

Hobby Photos & Links:

My Car - Look for it in the parking lot.

local woodworkers association
national association of metal shapers

Family & Friends

People in my life:

Kathy, my wife of 26 years, is a beautiful person whose morality is strongly rooted in honesty and integrity. She is smart, a great mother, and challenging when she wants to be. She is an attorney with the Sonoma County Counsel's Office. Kathy continuously enriches my life.

My children and people I care about:

Jenny, my oldest daughter, is 20. Presently she is a sophomore at UC Santa Cruz majoring in environmental studies and possibly teaching. Jenny loves classical dance and is still performing, as well as teaching a few classes.
Cynthia is the second of my two children. She is 17 and a senior in high school. Like Jenny, see loves dance; she is also a talented choreographer and performs with her high school dance company. She also participates in martial arts, and recently competed in a tournament in Italy.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

Kathy and I dressed for a costume party. Look for Julius Caesar at Halloween.

Myself at the beach

Kathy and Muffin at the Beach

Jenny, Cynthia, Kathy , and I.

We have a number of pets at home. Specifically two dogs and 7 Koi.

The dogs have names: Muffin and Scooter. They are Bichon Frise and we obtained them from a breeder in Iowa when they were 8 weeks old. They are so cute and loveable, as well as being hypoallergenic and non-shedding. They are always happy to see us and are truly lap dogs.

The fish don't have names with the exception of Blackie, the all black Koi that is sometimes very difficult to find in the pond. I've had Koi now for about 18 years and the fish pond, along with the pond maintenance and caring for the fish, has often provided a calming reprieve from a busy day.

Pet Photos:

Muffin and Scooter again

Muffin and Scooter - That's Muffin on the left

Travel

An adventure I've had:

I have been lucky enough to have a life that is continuously adventurous and exciting. Kathy loves to travel and I love going with her. After our wedding we went off to Alaska for 2 months, driving across country and taking the ferry up the inland waterway. We arrived in Anchorage with about 2 cents in our pockets. I did a Radiology elective with the Alaska Native Health Services and Kathy worked as a secretary with a temp. service. We had a great time. We have continued our outdoor adventures with numerous camping and backpacking trips.

We traveled to Portugal and Maderia on a shoe-string budget during our training years.
Since the children arrived we have pretty much always taken them along on our travels. In addition to numerous car camping trips in the US and Canada, we've been fortunate to visit Italy, Spain, France, England, Hawaii, and Bora Bora.

Favorite place in the world:

My favorite place in the world is my home! There are so many exciting and stimulating places on earth that I have had the opportunity to see, that I am unable to pick a favorite away from home.

One of my recent trips:

A few years ago The movie Triple XXX came out. An action movie that starred Vin Deisel, a hot number as my girls would say. So we all went to see the movie. The movie takes place in Hungary with the exception of the last scene that takes place in Bora Bora. Upon seeing the footage of Bora Bora my family decided that that was one place in the world we all wanted to go to, and we had a special reason: I had recently undergone surgery for the (successful) removal of a tumor, and this was a reminder that life is precious, short, and unpredictable.

Well, we saw the movie in November, and for the following Easter break we boarded a plane for seven glorious days in Bora Bora. The water was warm. I loved it.

Trip Photos:

The warm waters of Bora Bora

Other Links & Photos