Douglas von Brauchitsch, MD

	Joined Oct, 2001 Department: Ophthalmology [Map] Title: Physician Degree: MD Interests: Biking, hiking, swimming, skiing, gardening, camping, baking/cooking, brewing, playing and writing music, just about any other sport you can name... and spending time with friends and family Languages: Spanish (limited) Physician Homepage
Bio My name is Doug von Brauchitsch, MD. My last name may appear difficult to pronounce, but it is easier than it looks. It is pronounced "von brow-kitch", but some know me as Dr. von B. As an Ophthalmologist, I perform surgery on and treat diseases of the eyes and surrounding areas. I am Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. I am originally from Sacramento and attended the University of California, Berkeley for my Undergraduate training. I received my medical training at the University of California, San Francisco, with my internship at the University of California, San Diego. I then completed my residency training at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. I joined the Ophthalmology Department at Santa Rosa in 2001, after practicing in North Carolina for three years. Our Department is first-class, full of excellent physicians and staff. Ophthalmology is an enjoyable art and science because we are able to make a big difference in many people's lives by helping them keep or improve their vision. To stay up to date in our field, we all attend multiple education and discussion meetings every year where Ophthalmologists from around the world discuss new treatments and procedures. My other interests include biking, hiking, swimming, gardening, camping, baking/cooking, brewing, playing and writing music, spending time with friends and family and mostly with my son, Luke, who is busy with many activities. I am also on the Board of Directors of Becoming Independent, which is a wonderful local organization centered around people with developmental disabilities.
My Medical Specialty
More details about my specialty: I chose Ophthalmology because the eye seemed like the most interesting part of biology to me. Eyes are connected, and so a part of, the brain. We are able to make many interventions to improve people's eyes and vision in Ophthalmology, whereas making changes to someone's brain is a little more difficult. I really enjoy the surgery in Ophthalmology and all of the different interventions with lasers, etc. that we are able to do to help people with their vision. My specialty interests and affiliations within my field: I enjoy cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, diabetic eye treatments and oculoplastics within the field of Ophthalmology. Current projects or research: In the Ophthalmology department we will be implanting many specialty intraocular lenses for cataract surgery. Great health resources that I refer to: Ophthalmology American Journal of Ophthalmology
Interests
I have bicycle-toured through the Rockies from Jasper (in Canada) down to Salt Lake City - one of the best things I have ever done! I have written music for as long as I can remember. First, I played the piano, then trumpet, then guitar. I will forever be a student, but I enjoy improving my playing and my writing. My mother grew up on a farm in Minnesota. When I was growing up, my family would drive there and spend most of the summer on the farm with my grandparents and most of my cousins nearby. Perhaps that's why I like gardening. Currently reading: I am always glancing at some journal or another. Great movie: Planet Earth	Hobby Photos & Links: Luke as the farmer on my uncle's farm. The Farmer in Me Skiing Time Hiking in Montana
Family & Friends
People in my life: I enjoy spending as much time as I can with my son, Luke, who is a true joy. My children and people I care about: I have a wonderful son named Luke who was born in March, 2000. An interesting story about my family or friends: My family loves going to a family camp every summer on the Eel River way up north. We love Camp St. Michael! I have a wonderful grandmother (who's 97 this year!) in Minnesota, and we like to visit her whenever we can. My family used to live on the farm with her and my grandfather in the summers when I was growing up.	Luke Driving a Tractor Luke "snowboarding" Luke and his cousins at the beach. Luke Floating Swimming in the Eel Jumping into the Eel Grandma on her Birthday

Travel
An adventure I've had: I bicycle-toured through the Rockies from Jasper (in the Canadian Rockies) down to Salt Lake City. We camped out every night and saw new places every single day on our bicycles. It took many weeks, but it's one of the best things I've ever done! Favorite place in the world: I have only been to Hawaii twice, but it's great. There are volcanoes, rainforests, rolling grassland, snow, beaches, ocean waves, everything! One of my recent trips: A recent ophthalmology meeting took place on Hawaii and my family had a great time. We even ran across kids motocross races - since my son, Luke, says that he wants to be a motocross racer when he grows up.	Travel Photos: Hiking in Montana Trip Photos: Luke and his cousins at the beach. Kids and Motocross on the Big Island