Dean Thompson, MD

Bio

I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. My father worked as a middle school science teacher and my mother has worked in accounting and special education. I attribute much of my success to them and their lifelong love of learning. I attended University of California San Diego, graduating with a BS in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience. While attending UCSD I worked with neuroscientists and neurosurgeons focused on understanding the basic mechanism of neurologic malignancies. From there I went to George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. I wanted to spend some time on the East Coast and Washington, DC proved to be an amazing city. For my last 2 years of medical school, I lived near the White House.

I then returned to the West Coast for internship and residency training at University of Washington in Seattle. Following residency, I joined a local Internal Medicine group practice and remained there for 5 years. In 2005, my wife and I moved back to California so that we would be closer to home.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

My decision to go into health care evolved over time and with many influences. During my undergraduate training at UCSD, I became involved in biomedical research investigating astrocytomas, a type of brain cancer. During this experience I was able to observe clinical medicine first hand and shifted my focus toward going to medical school and ultimately on to clinical practice.

Another aspect of my career choice was the study of the human body. The human body (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry) is fascinating to study. Medical school was challenging but a great experience.


My parents have had a profound influence on shaping my career path. My father instilled in me a love of learning. He is very inquisitive and enjoys the process of discovery. This was a common theme in our household and on vacations. While traveling, we would often go to museums and places of historic interest and learn a great deal.

Both of my parents have been involved with the disabled and disadvantaged. My father became involved in Special Olympics; soon thereafter, my brother and I followed with volunteer work. My father remains very active with the learning-disabled. My mother also has a history of working in education with special needs children. I am inspired by my parents; they ultimately shaped my career path toward medicine.

I view my role in internal medicine as being in partnership with patients working together to come up with solutions. I enjoy working with people to achieve success in managing chronic diseases as well as acute problems. I can give guidance but it is up to the individual to take responsibility for their own health and be an active participant. I enjoy working with people in a joint venture to optimize their health.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

I have worked in a variety of medical settings. Kaiser Permanente has proved to be the best, most comprehensive health care that I have seen. It is impressive how proactive Kaiser Permanente is in health promotion, prevention and disease management. I encourage you to participate in the variety of programs available.

Great health resources that I refer to:

please place a link to the KP web site for 10,000 step progam and wt management program. thanks

Interests

Currently reading:
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein The Call of the Wild by Jack London

My favorite book or author:
The Rider by Tim Krabbe

Great movie:
Miyazaki's Spirited Away

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My wife, Christen, and I married in 1995. She completed her BS in Biochemistry from University of California at San Diego and a BS in Nursing from The Georgetown University. She then graduated from the University of Washington with a Nurse Practitioner degree and continues to work in this field. Together we have two great children: Aaron born in 2000 and Sophia born in 2003.

My children and people I care about:

My brother, Dave, and I share many interests. In particular we both enjoy the outdoors and have spent many days and nights hiking and camping together. For a while, we would alternate backpacking trips between the Sierra Nevada and Washington state.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

Living in Santa Rosa has been a great experience. There are so many interesting places to explore. Our kids have had a particullarly good time in Howarth Park.

Travel

An adventure I've had:

I have always enjoyed the outdoors and get out whenever I can. There is a long tradition in our family of hiking and camping. My grandparents live in Bishop, CA. We have spent many holidays hiking, fishing and exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains from this home base. One of the more memorable trips recently involved three generations: my father, brother, nephew and myself. We hiked from Toulome Meadows, through Little Yosemite Valley to Yosemite Valley. One memory from this trip stands out; after a long day of hiking, we sat on a giant slab of granite under an intense blanket of stars.

Seattle is rich with outdoor opportunities. There are many incredible hikes in the nearby Cascade and Olympic Peninsula. The Sierra Nevada and the Olympic Peninsula pose an interesting contrast in environments. The Olympic Peninsula is home to one of the few temperate rainforests, with the Ho Valley getting over 12 feet of rain a year. While in Seattle, I was introduced to sea kayaking. After training for 3 months, a very experienced sea kayaker and I went on a 7-day trip off the Northwest coast of Vancouver Island. The wildlife was diverse and plentiful, including a bear who took an interest in our boats. The area also contains archaeological sites with Native American totem poles and campsites.

Living in Washington, DC. for medical school was an adventure in many respects. I moved there to attend the George Washington School of Medicine. My intention was to explore the Northeast during medical school and return to the West upon completion. I lived near the White House and, while I spent most of my time in the hospitals, I was able to see the sights. The area is so rich with history. Hiking in Shenandoah has its own appeal. While the mountains do not have the massive size of the Sierras, there is a historic context which is unique. While exploring in and around DC, you can see where the Union and Confederate troops once moved or you can visit Mt. Vernon, the estate of George Washington.

Travel Photos:

After a long day of paddling

Sunrise Camp on the John Muir Trail

Cathedral Peak with brother, nephew, Dad

Kayak trip, Spring Island, B.C.

Ououkinsh Inlet, Vancouver Island, B.C.

With my Father, Lee, above Yosemite

Hiking in Olympic Nat. Park, Wash.

Olympic Nat. Park, Washington