Ellen Farley, MD

Bio

I am a Board-Certified Family Physician, and I am a part of the very dynamic and versatile Family Medicine Service at Kaiser Permanente, Santa Rosa. I have been with Kaiser Permanente since June, 2000. I am pleased to be a part of this distinguished and ethical group of professionals.

I have lived in several parts of the country. I was born and raised in Bay City, Michigan until I was 10. My parents' circumstances led to a series of moves, and I have lived on both Coasts and in the Rockies. I attended College of Marin where I discovered my own love of learning and where my interests and goals evolved from Anthropology to Biology and Medicine. I graduated from Mills College in Oakland, and then attended UCSF. I graduated from UCSF School of Medicine in 1980.

I had my first exposure to the Kaiser Permanente system when I did my internship at Kaiser-Sunset in Los Angeles. I interrupted my training to serve voluntarily in the Public Health Service, working for two years in the Navajo Area Indian Health Service. That was a very special experience of cultural enrichment for me. I carry an ongoing appreciation of Native American cultures, as well as a public health orientation ever since.

Next, I moved to Denver and completed my Family Practice residency at Mercy Hospital. I lived and practiced medicine in Juneau, Alaska for twelve years while also focussed on taking care of my two young sons. Alaska was beautiful and interesting but, as for many people, Northern California kept calling me home. My sons and I were happy to return to this area in June, 2000.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

Family Practice is a field of medicine which specializes in breadth of knowledge. It started as an outgrowth of old-fashioned General Practice, but with longer and more formalized training, and repeated testing every 7-10 years. We have a philosophy of caring for the whole person and that the stresses and joys in your life have an enormous impact on your health. We are trained to be the provider of basic and preventative services for people of all ages, "cradle to grave."

This philosophy and the versatility that I can provide attracted me to the practice of family medicine. I enjoy my work and I feel it is a privilege to be a primary care physician. I especially try to be aware of the fear that health problems can create and to help people through that.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

As your primary care doctor, I consider it one of my most important roles to act as your guide to the medical system as a whole. I can help you to resolve many problems directly, through my evaluation, advice and/or prescriptions. Other problems are more complex or unusual...then I will assist you by arranging for tests, different forms of therapy and specialist consultations. I often discuss OPTIONS, choices in the next step in evaluating a problem, and involve you, the patient, in the decision. When I feel strongly about one best choice, I will be clear about that!

One reason I enjoy practicing medicine at Kaiser-Permanente is that I share Kaiser's enthusiasm for helping you learn how to take care of your own health and we practice preventive medicine. At Kaiser Santa Rosa we have wonderful resources to empower you to keep yourself healthy!

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

Here I am, working and learning, during my internship at Kaiser Permanente Sunset in Los Angeles.

Interests

Currently reading:
Inner Peace for Busy People is on my nightstand.

My favorite book or author:
I grew up reading and re-reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I enjoy the Harry Potter series; Madame Secretary by Madeleine Albright; I wish I had more time to read.

Great movie:
I really enjoy well-done movies of all kinds; comedies ARE good medicine, for me as well as you.

Hobby Photos & Links:

Hobbies at age 8: ballet and books.

As a student a College of Marin, 1972 (!!), hobbies: studying alot, hiking with friends.

Family & Friends

People in my life:

I am divorced. I have gained an appreciation and insider-knowledge of life as a single parent.

My children and people I care about:

My two sons are now college age. They have many interests and keep me busy, supporting their interests and all the ways they are stretching out in the world. I think Northern California is a good place to grow up.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

Having moved about and lived in other places, my mother, two sisters, one niece and I all live in the Bay Area now. It's good to have family around.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

I am so fulfilled as a mom; this was a laughter-filled day a few years ago.

Here is a more recent one of me and my two wonderful sons.

Three sisters, quite a long time ago!

I am the youngest of three sisters, and I'm happy to be living near both of them again.

Travel

One of my recent trips:

Most of our recent trips have been to soccer games, chess tournaments and visiting colleges. We did take a wonderful trip to Maui, Hawaii in June of 2007.

Trip Photos:

We did many ocean-oriented activities...

...and also enjoyed exploring the beautiful island.