Q&A with Dr. Young

Q. Why did you decide to become a physician, and why do you focus on internal medicine?

A.​ I knew early on I wanted to be a physician. My mom says I used to say, “I want to be a doctor like my daddy when I grow up.” I have multiple family members who are physicians, starting with my grandmother who was an ophthalmologist and paved the way for the rest of us — my father, cousins, and other relatives. My father is an ob-gyn. He always said being a doctor is one of the most noble professions the world, and that treating patients is a very special privilege. In addition to wanting to help people, I was also motivated by the intellectual aspect of medicine: meeting patients, talking to them, and coming up with a diagnosis and treatment plan across a very wide spectrum of conditions.

I enjoyed all my clinical rotations throughout medical school and thought about specializing but decided that internal medicine allows me to get to know my patients really well and provides me with the opportunity to see the broadest range of medical conditions. The days are always engaging and interesting.

Q. Tell us about a particularly challenging case. How did you help your patient?

A. Last summer, I was treating a woman in her 70s who had a headache. At first, I thought it could be a migraine, but treatment didn’t help, and her headaches persisted. I did more tests, especially concerned that she had temporal arteritis, an inflammation of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Left untreated, it can lead to blindness. I prescribed steroids and her headache resolved. It is so satisfying to be able to help my patients.

Q. What is your approach to patient care?

A. I set a high standard for myself to make sure my patients have the best health outcomes. Regardless of how complex the medical issue is, I work hard to make sure it is well managed, and my patients’ overall health is optimized.

I let patients tell me in their own words what’s bothering them, and I ask questions to draw more information out of them. Throughout the exam, I explain what I am doing and why. Then I give them my perspective on what’s going on, and I make sure to explain it in a way they will understand. When discussing a treatment recommendation, I ask whether they are willing to try it. I don’t force anything. I want patients to be in control of their own health.

Q. What do you enjoy about Permanente Medicine?

A. I like how efficient our care model is. In one day, a patient can see me, get lab tests done, get imaging completed, and see a specialist. The convenience factor is helpful for patients, leads to faster diagnoses, and is simply better medicine.

Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?

A.​ I’m a big sports fan. We’ve been lucky in recent years with the Nationals winning the World Series and the Capitals winning the Stanley Cup. I also enjoy watching the Washington football team, the Washington Wizards, and my Maryland Terrapins. I like to play golf with my family and friends. I also love hiking and traveling. I have hiked Machu Picchu in Peru and explored the waterfalls of Iceland. I’m really looking forward to getting back out there, with a trip to maybe Korea and Japan, or an African safari.

Q. What do you do to stay well, and how do you encourage your patients to stay well?

A. The best way not to have any medical issues is to prevent them in the first place. I eat well and exercise. I play golf. For my mental health, I get together with family and friends. I preach what I practice and tell my patients to follow a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and low in carbs and red meat. Regular exercise is important: 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise. Even something as simple as a walk around the block after dinner is great.

Q.​ What do you want patients to know about Well Friendship Heights?

A.​ We’re really working to establish close-knit bonds and relationships with our patients, and that helps translate into better outcomes. I live less than 3 miles away and am looking forward to seeing patients who are also my neighbors. It’ll be nice to work in my community. I look forward to optimizing the health of those who live and work in the Friendship Heights area.

Learn more about Dr. Young here.

See what his patients say

Dr. Young is a true example of what a great doctor is. This has been my third visit to him, and I am in awe of how my health has changed. I have various health problems, and as I began to discuss them with him, I can see and feel his concern and interest in helping me as well as it’s possible. Dr. Young listened to me intently and that to me meant a lot. That shows that he cared. Since my three office visits with him, I must say that my health has improved. Actually, I am feeling better and that gives me reason to smile and say “I think I have found myself a great doctor.” I would definitely recommend Dr. Young to anyone. Having Dr. Young as my physician has made a difference in my life. I know that I can discuss any health problem, ask any health question and he will be there and willing to listen. That’s most important: to be able to have a listen[ing] ear and a doctor who shows compassion. I am very hopeful that I will be having Dr. Young as my physician for many years to come. —DS

Dr. Young listens! It was refreshing to have a doctor listen and ask me the right questions. Then he took action. He was a breath of fresh air and made me feel very comfortable. —TT

Dr. Young was punctual and enthusiastic about helping. He listened when I went on and on about my sinus and never looked burdened, bored, or put out. I could tell, based on his answers, he was truly listening to who I was as an individual and not just another member number. He instructed me with a solution that was exactly what “I” needed. He never made me feel rushed or silly when I asked “silly” questions. This is my first true interaction with Kaiser, and if Dr. Young is any indication of the care I can look forward to, I know that I have made the right choice in changing providers, and for that, I am truly grateful. —DH