Margaret Gilford, MD

Bio

I'm brand new to Kaiser Permanente, but I like to think of myself as a Kaiser Permanente brat, since both my parents were long time Kaiser Permanente physicians in Southern California. Here comes Dr. Gilford #3.

I grew up in Southern California and while I fondly remember hanging out in mom's busy pediatric clinic after school and admired the meticulous organization of my surgeon dad, I never dreamed of being a doctor. Medical school was a later decision for me. I went to UC Berkeley, majored in sociology with an emphasis on race relations and planned to study public health. However, volunteer work at the Berkeley Free Clinic proved too seductive; it was much easier to fix a rash than to fix society. I changed direction, applied to medical school and proudly accepted admission to the Chicago Medical School class of 1993.

Inner city medicine at Cook County hospital was hardcore, a great classroom; the patients were great teachers, and my heart stayed there. I never lost my focus in sociology and my commitment remained with the community. I chose to train in family practice because it most closely fit my ideals in medicine: treating the individual within the context of family and community. Residency training followed at San Francisco General Hospital/UCSF. I finished my residency in 1996 and from there enjoyed several different clinical practices in the East Bay, primarily in the community health centers of Berkeley and Oakland.

For several reasons I chose to join Kaiser Permanente. Primarily, I do believe that Kaiser Permanente has developed a successful model in providing quality preventative health care to a wide community base. Kaiser Permanente really does support the practice that keeping people well is the best health strategy. Finally, Santa Rosa is a terrific place to live and work, and I think I'll be happy here.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

When understanding the problems that pull a patient away from wellness, Family Medicine integrates her within her physical, environmental, psychological and social worlds.

Great health resources that I refer to:

Rachel Naomi Remen, MD and her thoughts on working with the terminally ill.

An interesting story from my training:

The stories of survival from so many individuals at the refugee clinic in San Francisco General remind me to be grateful and to remember how strong we all really are.

Interests

Currently reading:
Best Short Stories 1996

My favorite book or author:
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Great movie:
March of the Penguins

Hobby Photos & Links:

breakfast in Prince William Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My husband, John, is one of the most interesting people I know. He's a fisherman that can cast out and feed everyone at the campsite in 30 minutes. He's a photographer who can document that camping trip with dreamy infrared images. He's a boat captain and commercial fisherman who used to run a lighthouse bed and breakfast and can whip up a snazzy four course meal. He's my best friend and makes me feel happy even when I don't want to.

My children and people I care about:

Andy is my best little buddy and the main reason we moved to the area. He's a goofy kid who thinks daddy is sooo silly, loves to tickle mommy and actually eats his vegetables.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

Our family has taken on the great adventure of buying undeveloped land in Occidental, living off-the-grid in a little cabin and figuring out how to build a house in Sonoma county.
Wish us luck.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

John and I happiest in the wheelhouse

Capt. John and first mate

Andy

John and I have a blended family of Alice, my most high-strung Australian Cattle dog and Beacon, John's most mellow black Lab.

Pet Photos:

through thick and thin, Alice

Beacon at the beach

Travel

An adventure I've had:

Circumnavigating Coron Island, Palawan, Philippines by kayak with a guide I'd never met. Going out on my own to a beautiful place because I read about it. Looking for a whaleshark; it didn't matter that I never saw one.

Favorite place in the world:

Isla Carmen, Baja California. The Sea of Cortez in October when the water is so warm, jumping off rocks with John.

One of my recent trips:

My best recent trip was to the Santa Rosa airshow. I was surprised how moved I was experiencing the joy of flight, the beauty of the planes, the history of the pilots and this new community I belong to.

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

The best place