Vivek Kumra, MD

Bio

Ever since I was a small child I knew I wanted to be a physician. My vision of a doctor was one who came to the hospital bedside of ill people, one who treated pneumonias, heart attacks, and strokes - hopefully to heal and always to comfort. My mother's role as a physician in a hospital and TV shows about doctors (which were always set in hospitals) completed the persuasion of my young mind.

As I went through my education and training I kept this mental picture of my future career, starting with college and medical school at the University of Michigan. Residency and chief residency were completed at the University of California, Davis. I remained at UC- Davis on faculty as an assistant professor and was one of the original founders of UC- Davis's hospitalist program prior to joining Kaiser Permanente.

My family loves it here in Santa Rosa. My wife Valerie, my teenage son Nick, and my twins Kai (my son) and Isabella (my daughter) are so happy that work at Kaiser Santa Rosa is only a 5 minute drive away. Kai and Bella were even born at Kaiser Permanente, making us a true Kaiser Permanente family.

The HBS program here at Kaiser Santa Rosa is a perfect fit for me and my childhood dream. I look forward to many more productive years here!

My Credentials:

Medical school University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
Internship UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
Residency UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
Board certification Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

My Medical Specialty

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

Taking care of every patient is an honor and an opportunity to make a difference, but I derive even greater satisfaction from treating illnesses related to pulmonary medicine, HIV and AIDS, cardiology, and diseases of addiction.

Current projects or research:

I'm part of the regional group to develop inpatient medicine content for the new Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect electronic medical record system.

Locally, I am helping develop the new Department of Hospital Based Specialists.

Great health resources that I refer to:

Any publication from the American College of Physicians

My favorite medical websites are www.uptodate.com and www.acponline.org

An interesting story from my training:

I selected Internal Medicine training at the University of California, Davis because when I interviewed there, I was struck in awe by the teaching, near omniscience and regal presence of Professor Faith T. Fitzgerald, MD. I've had many mentors from whom I've learned, but there's not a day that goes by without Dr Fitzgerald's impact on my work.

Interests

Currently reading:
Slam by Nick Hornby

My favorite book or author:
Nonfiction: Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. Fiction: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John LeCarre. Anything by Nick Hornby

Great movie:
Cinema Paradiso

Hobby Photos & Links:

Who Says It's Not Possible to Surf on Flat Water?

I love to ski and sled with the family

Sailing on Lake Tahoe with Kai

University of Michigan Football. GOOOOOOO BLUE!
United States Tennis Association

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My wife Valerie and I met in 1998 when we both worked at UCDavis Medical Center. Aside from being an outstanding mother and role model for our children, she volunteers as a child advocate with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates www.sonomacasa.org), and many others places as the need arises. She is an avid photographer with special interest in black and white photography. She is my partner, my friend and the love of my life.

My children and people I care about:

Kai and Bella are 6 years old and in the first grade. They love music, animals, reading and sports. Nick is starting college this year in Sacramento. He is 6 foot 4 inches and has played every sport available since he was four years old. His true passion is football. We have fond memories of those 5am practices during hockey season at Snoopy's Home Ice.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

My wife and I at 5:30am just before running the Nike Women's Half Marathon. We stuck with the theme "Run Together" and had the best time!

When we were still dating...

Nicholas - 18 years old and starting college in January 2008.

I had the joy of coaching Kai's soccer team this year.

Bella (On the Horse), Kai, Me, Val (My Wife), My Brother Vijay and New Nephew Nikhil

Spirit West Coast - Monterey 2006

Val and Bella in Bodega Bay

Bella makes friends wherever she goes!

The whole pet thing is new for me as I never had any as a child. My wife and children, however, cannot seem to survive without several :) so I am learning to adapt. Fin is our "deer legged" AKA: "doe faced" chihuahua. Happy is our most recent addition and is a wonderful 10 pound mutt. Peek is our Snowshoe Siamese cat. All of our pets are rescues from our local shelters. Val and Bella have an immense love of animals and are near vegetarian (they occasionally eat fish). Kai and I are close behind but have the occasional chicken strip when nothing else is available.

Pet Photos:

Peek

Fin and Happy

See how he looks like a doe?

Travel

An adventure I've had:

Safari in South Africa while falling in love with my wife.

Favorite place in the world:

Home

One of my recent trips:

One of the most emotionally rewarding experiences was volunteering with Health Volunteers Overseas in Bangalore, India. It reminds me how lucky we are to have the health care we do in the United States.

Travel Photos:

This is Taken Without Any Zoom Lens.

I Was Chased By This Baboon Where He Then Perched In Wait on Our Trunk. I Guess I Should Have Asked Before I Took His Picture.