Catherine Johnsen, DO

	Joined Mar, 2007 Department: Family Medicine Services [Map] Title: Physician Degree: DO Interests: Gardening- our yard is a riot of color and we are continually changing it. I also have a collection of orchids. Other activities include hiking, kayaking, skiing, going to the health club, yoga Languages: Simple Spanish Practitioner Homepage
Bio I didn't enter medical school until I was 39 years old. There were quite a few of us "more mature" students. It seems many of us desire several careers in our lives. For 10 years I worked as a research and development engineer at Hewlett-Packard in Santa Rosa (now Agilent). The work was challenging and interesting and I enjoyed working as part of a team. In fact, I found my enjoyment in my job came often from working with others and, as such, I began to feel that working with and helping the public was more in line with my talent and motivation. I also have always loved science and have an undergraduate degree in physics. After much soul searching, discussions with friends and family, and several long term illnesses of my father, both the professions of teaching and medicine evolved as potential careers for me. What better way to combine a love of science and medicine with teaching than to become a physician. Family medicine as a specialty was always my interest. My interest in this specialty developed over many years of watching my father die of multiple chronic illnesses most of which were secondary to lifestyle choices. He was well taken care of with regard to surgeries and pharmaceuticals, however I felt the psychosocial aspects of his case were neglected. I feel the role of a family physician is to be a patient advocate and medical counselor in the context of the patient's world view, family, community and culture. I especially enjoy the variety of people and problems we treat, from infant to elderly, from the worried well to the dying hospice patient. I graduated from the Sutter Family Practice Residency program and started my own private practice in 2001. We were a group of 4 solo practitioners sharing staff and office space. I enjoyed the 5 years we were together, however, for a variety of reasons, including ideological, financial, and personal, I chose to join Kaiser Permanente in March 2007. I am proud to have joined such a great group of physicians and staff that strive to provide excellent and affordable medical care.
My Medical Specialty
More details about my specialty: I chose family medicine because I feel it is the most interesting specialty. The breadth and scope of practice is enormous. Every day and every patient is different. By treating the whole family we get great insight to relationships and family culture. Great health resources that I refer to: I regularly read the New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the American Academy of Family Medicine. An interesting story from my training: I got to attend two different residencies. I spent the first year and a half at San Jose Medical Center. I was on call Dec 31, 1999 for my last day there. On Jan 1, 2000 I started at Sutter Santa Rosa Family Medicine residency and spent my second year and a half there. I feel I benefitted greatly from attending both residency programs.
Interests
My downhill skiing days are over and I'll have to just continue to cross country ski. I tore my ACL on the Granite Chief run at Squaw Valley in January 2006. It was reconstructed, however I still think I will retire from downhill skiing. By the way, I was on my high school ski team way back when in NY where I grew up. Currently reading: Sea of Cortez, John Steinbeck My favorite book or author: Any good murder mystery Great movie: The Shawshank Redemption	Hobby Photos & Links: kayaking kayaking fall garden orchid Gunsite Rock, Hood Mountain orchid garden top of Squaw Valley cross country skiing more kayaking
Family & Friends
People in my life: I have been married to my husband for 28 years. We went to the same High School, but never knew each other there! He worked at Agilent until the 2003 lay-offs. He now works installing, training, and running the help desk for an electonic medical records company. His office at our house overlooks our garden. My children and people I care about: We have two children, Eric and Evan. They are 25 and 23 years old, respectively. Eric's interests have always been playing and composing music. After many years of violin lessons he now plays heavy metal! Evan is in college and wants to work in the computer animation field. (They decline to be photographed at this time... find them on myspace or facebook)	Photos of my Family & Friends: Hiking in the Alps
My pets: We always have cats. Our current cats are called Hermione and Sing.	Pet Photos: other cat pet cat
Travel
Favorite place in the world: Two years ago my husband and I went to Austria for 2 weeks. We drove from Munich, Germany to Vienna, Austria and back exploring the countryside. We really would like to go back. One of my recent trips: In March 2007, my husband and I went to Costa Rica for 3 weeks. We took Spanish in the mornings and went exploring in the afternoons and on the weekends. We were not on any tour, nor in a resort. The countryside is very rough and rugged; roads are dirt; running hot water is a luxury. My goal was to improve my Spanish and see monkeys. Those goals were accomplished. It was an adventure and my favorite part was the interesting people we met doing exactly what we were doing.	A Photo of One of My Favorite Places: Lots of pubs in Austria typical Austria view The 'Sound of Music' was filmed here Lots of castles in Austria Trip Photos: Costa Rican airline waiting room Costa Rican Airline Terminal crocodile Poas Volcano
Other Links & Photos
What Is a DO?