James Riley, MD

Bio

I decided to be a Family Physician early in Medical School at New York University because I felt the specialty best met my definition of a doctor. A physician (and friend) who cares for whole family from the infants to the elders; thus enabling me to be aware of the family dynamics which frequently affects and influences the physical and psychological (as well as spiritual) health of each individual.
My desire is to be a resource for my patients so they may achieve optimal health by means of traditional medical approaches or complementary therapies. I believe a collaborative approach to care, providing knowledge and open communication, is essential to enable a patient to make educated and informed decisions that best meet their definition of health and wellness.

I joined Kaiser in 2010 after working in the Santa Cruz Mountains for 10 years in a semi-rural practice that allowed me to use the various medical and procedural skills I was taught in residency here in Santa Rosa at the Sutter Family Practice Program. I decided to join Kaiser after being in private practice because I feel I can better care for patients in a system that is patient centered and efficiently designed to more realistically provide such care. The Kaiser motto Thrive equates with the way I strive to live my life which I try to pass along to my patients through means of preventive and self care.

I was born and raised in the San Jose area. After graduating from Los Gatos High School, I traveled to Southern California where I received my bachelor's degree from UC Irvine graduating Magna Cum Laude. I then relocated to Manhattan to attend New York University School of Medicine where I was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Prior to starting to medical school, I met my wife of now 14 years, Kristy. Upon graduating we decided to move back to California where I completed my Family Practice Residency training here in Santa Rosa. Afterwards, I took a job in Boulder Creek near Santa Cruz where we had lived until now. In 2007, my wife and I were blessed with the birth to our twins, Christopher and Nicolette which have changed our lives in more ways then we could have ever imagined.

My wife and I love to travel whenever possible. We enjoy Cabo and Hawaii but also love to explore new areas within driving distance of the bay area. Most memorably we took the trip of a lifetime to the South Pacific which surprisingly was over 10 years ago(even though many of the memories are still fresh in my mind)! Travel has become more of a challenge since having our children but it has not stopped us from taking them to various place including Hawaii.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

I chose Family Medicine because it incorporates care for all generations in a family from pediatrics to geriatrics. I also perform basic gynecology care.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

Sports medicine and musculoskeletal care.
Procedural Medicine (minor office surgery and joint/soft tissue injections).

Current projects or research:

Past research at UCSF in muscle fiber strength testing at various temperatures. Also the effects of calcium channel blockers on human coronary arteries.

Great health resources that I refer to:

myfamilydoctor.org
aafp.org
MD consult
The Medical Letter
Prescribers Letter
American College of Sports Medicine website

An interesting story from my training:

One day after a busy day in my office, I realized after the fact that I had seen a person from each of the four generations of one of my families at separate visits throughout the day.
While in residency, I spent a two week elective in Japan where I learned about their health care system which is extremely specialty care oriented. They astonishingly do NOT have family medicine training programs and very few primary care internal medicine programs. They were using my experience to learn more about the benefits of primary care.

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

Ankle taping

Interests

Currently reading:
American Family Physician Journal; American Medical News; Medical Prescriber's Letter; The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp, MD, Einstein Never Used Flash Cards by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D

My favorite book or author:
Tom Clancy; Michael Crichton; Dr. Seuss

Great movie:
Rudy; Star Wars (7,8,9); Any of the James Bond films; Contact with Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey

Hobby Photos & Links:

Surfing

Grace in motion

skiing

Surf Swell Forecast throughout the world
Live Surf Camera of waves in Santa Cruz

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My wife, Kristy, is a wonderfully caring and giving individual who is my inspiration to be a better person each day.

My children and people I care about:

Christopher and Nicolette are the true essence and elements of what makes life complete. There would be no end nor beginning without them. Their innocence and belief in happiness can only bring a smile to your face and pure joy into your life daily.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

When Christopher and Nicolette became part of our family we thought so ignorantly that we could still do all the things we did before like travel. One day, when they were about 6 months, we got into our minivan and traveled to Lake Havasu, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas within a 1 week period. We learned how to change many diapers while in the minivan. Needless to say, it was not the most relaxing vacation I was expecting.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

Kris

Nicki and her twins

Christopher hanging out

Wearing dad's shoes

Cool cat

At the pumkin patch

Going through a maze

Christopher choosing very carefully

Anni our 9 year old bichon frise was our baby before we had babies.
Tabitha our 14 year old blind cat has been with us since residency when we acquired her from humane society in Sebastopol.

Pet Photos:

Tabitha

Anni

Travel

An adventure I've had:

After completing my residency from Community Hospital of Santa Rosa, my wife and I went on a 4 week trip traveling through the South Pacific. We saw parts of Fiji, Tahiti, and Austrailie Great including the Barrier Reef where we snorkeled and were able to scuba dive in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Favorite place in the world:

Pleasure Point on the East side of Santa Cruz on a clear, warm day because of the peacefulness of the ocean and gorgeous view of the Monterey peninsula.

One of my recent trips:

Disneyland with my wife and children where I learned the simple pleasure and joy of being a kid again through the eyes of my twins.

Travel Photos:

Snorkeling on GB reef

Live coral on Great Barrier Reef

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

Pleasure Point

Big Sur

Trip Photos:

Meeting Goofy

Standing next to Goofy

Smile while meeting Mickey

Disneyland Castle