Roberto Azcarraga, MD

	Joined Jul, 2010 Department: Family Medicine Services [Map] Title: Physician Degree: MD Interests: I love to cook and eat great foods. I like gardening and hikes. My kids and I snowboard in the winter and boogie board in the summer. Languages: Spanish Practitioner Homepage
Bio I am a native Texan, born and raised in San Antonio. I moved to California in 1979, and completed High School, College, Medical School and Residency here in the Bay Area. I joined Kaiser Santa Rosa in July 2010. I chose Family Medicine because I enjoy taking care of families - strengthening their natural bonds, adjusting to changes as they grow, and coping with obstacles as they arise. As a Family Physician, I believe that every person I meet in the office deserves my personal attention and respect. I want to know about your life, your interests and your family. My goal is to listen and address your health concerns, and give you the tools to begin or continue good healthful habits. As a Latino physician, I have a special affinity for the Spanish speaking community of Sonoma County. Naci en Tejas, creci y me crie en San Antonio. Soy hijo de padres mejicanos. Me mude a California en 1979. Termine la secundaria, mis estudios universitarios y mi residencia en el area de la Bahia. Empece trabajando en Kaiser en Julio del 2010. Elegi medicina familiar porque me agrada apoyar a las familias, coloborar en todas las situaciones y circunstancias que se les presentan en la vida diaria y asi lograr perseguir la unidad en la familia. Como medico de medicina familiar, yo creo que cada persona que you atiendo merece mi completa comprension y respeto. Me interesa conocer la vida de mis pacientes, sus intereses y la de su familia. Mi objetivo es prestar total atencion a los problemas y preocupaciones de salud de todos mis pacientes, proporcionandoles los recursos y seguiridad que toda persona necesita para obtener una vida saludable. Como doctor latino me identifico con la comunidad hispano hablante del condado de Sonoma.
My Medical Specialty
More details about my specialty: Latinos are centered around the family, like my family is. I want to treat my patient as I would my own family. My specialty interests and affiliations within my field: I like to see little ones, meaning children from birth on. I used to deliver babies, and loved the joy it brought families to meet and greet the newborns. Current projects or research: I'm learing to use my iTouch for more medical application tools. Great health resources that I refer to: I love using an iTouch application called Epocrates to keep me updated on current medication usages for specific diseases. An interesting story from my training: I once visited Costa Rica while I was in medical school to see how differently medicine was practice there. I was suprised to learn that in the rural towns, a trained medical assistant keeps track of immunizations, diabetic checks and pap smear visits. She then visits each home on a regular basis to keep them up to date.
Interests
I spend most weekends puttering in my backyard garden. I gave up trying to grow veggies, but I've had moderate success with lemons, figs and table grapes. I love to swim, play in the snow, and listening to most forms of music, especially Motown and R & B. Currently reading: Have to read the last Harry Potter book before the movie comes out, and got hooked on the Sookie Stackhouse series. My favorite book or author: Like Pablo Neruda and Garrison Keilor Great movie: Liked the Twilight series, loving the Harry Potter series, but they pale to the original Dune for sci-fi adventure.
Family & Friends
People in my life: I have been privileged with a great mom and a fantastic wife. My mom emigrated from Mexico with my older sibling before I was born. She taught me how to work hard, pray hard, and to put family first. My wife and partner is also doctor, and practices in Sonoma County. She teaches me patience and perserverance. My children and people I care about: My kids are my joy! My oldest Marcos finished high school in 2010 and is living with his grandparents in San Antonio, Texas, for his "gap year." My daughter Katie will finish high school in 2012 and plans to attend college right after. My little one, Lucas, is in middle school. He is playful and a great cook. An interesting story about my family or friends: About two years ago, my family and I visited Yosemite and decided to hike from the top of Glacier Point to the Valley floor below. It was supposed to be a 5 hour hike. 9 hours later, we dragged ourselves half-dead to the cafeteria, only to find it was closed because the kitchen had caught fire. We still call the event the Death March of 2008.
My pets: We have a calico cat named Angel who pretty much keeps to herself. We have had little lap dogs before but they needed more attention than we could give, so we found loving homes for them.
Travel
An adventure I've had: While I was in medical school, I had the opportunity to work at a medical center in Santander, Spain. For 6 weeks I helped with open heart surgery and cardiology. Afterwards, I spent a week each in Madrid, Paris and London. I would love to visit all those places again. Favorite place in the world: Yosemite has always been a magical place for me. I started visiting when I was single, and love visiting now with my family. We go at least once a year, and keep building memories of the special times we spend there. One of my recent trips: In the summer of 2009 we splurged on a one week cruise to Mexico. The food, the ocean, the entertainment - all spectacular. We saw dolphins playing in the waves, and colorful underwater fish while snorkling. The best part - GREAT FOOD!!