Terry Woodard, MD

Bio

I did not grow up dreaming of becomming a doctor. In college, my major changed from mathmatics, to engineering, to chemistry, and finally to biology. I got involved in medical research, and after graduation took a job with a research lab at UC San Diego. My boss, a gasteroenterologist, told me that with my personality, I would quickly become bored with research, and that I should go to medical school.

He was right, and here I am. I chose Internal Medicine because I am a science nerd, and the specialty provided puzzles for me to solve. I also chose it because it was a specialty that allowed me to get to know my patients over time. Interestingly, I have learned, that despite all of the data I can collect and analyze, if I really listen, most people will tell me what is wrong with them.

I did a medical school rotation at Kaiser Sacramento. After that, I knew I would always work for Kaiser. I joined Northwest Permanente after my training in 1990, in Portland, Oregon. I loved Portland, it is a wonderful city, but it never felt like home. I joined the Santa Rosa group in 1993. It is good to be home.

I still consider being a physician a privilege . It is a privilege to be allowed into people's lives on such an intimate level. It is also a privilege to work for Kaiser, I wouldn't work anywhere else.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

Internal Medicine, specifically Hospital Based medicine is intellectually stimulating and rewarding. I particularly enjoy ICU medicine.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

Geriatrics

Great health resources that I refer to:

Medscape
Harrison's Textbook of Medicine
Annals of Internal Medicine

An interesting story from my training:

During the first 2 years of medical school, I thought I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. During my third year surgical rotation, I quickly accepted that I really couldn't live with surgical cap flattened hair.

Photos from My Training Years or of Practicing Medicine in My Field:

Learning to listen the hard way

Interests

Currently reading:
Rolling Stone

My favorite book or author:
I Talk Pretty Someday-David Sedaris

Great movie:
Death at a Funeral

Hobby Photos & Links:

cloggers

General information on the sport of clogging
my photography website

Family & Friends

People in my life:

Family and friends have always been of utmost importance to me. It is what grounds me. Sadly, most of them are too paranoid for me to mention them on the internet.

My beloved adopted English Pointer, Walter. He is the perfect companion, and makes me smile everyday.

Pet Photos:

Walter does Dillon Beach

Travel

An adventure I've had:

Surfing in Costa Rica. I will be returning for my 4th and 5th trip this year. The water is warm, the culture fabulous, and the surf is perfect virtually everyday.

Favorite place in the world:

I haven't been everywhere yet, but I hope to. It would be a toss up between Florence, Italy, and Playa Grande Costa Rica. Well, the Seychelle Islands should be in the running.

One of my recent trips:

During a recent trip to Bali, after surfing for several hours, I fell asleep under a portable shade tarp that had been put up earlier in the morning. I awoke to a batton poking me in the ribs, and saw a policeman standing over me. Apparently, I had fallen asleep under a makeshift Hindu temple, and wasn't allowed.

Travel Photos:

Every sunset is like this in Costa Rica

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

A happy Costa Rican iguana

Trip Photos:

Getting to know the natives.