Walter Mills, MD, MMM, FACPE

Bio

I knew I wanted to be a physician by the time I was in second grade. My mother was a nurse and my father a physician. 25 years after completing medical school, I still remain passionate about being a family physician, deeply enjoying caring for patients.

I chose family medicine as a specialty because of its stated philosophy that a biopsychosocial approach is the best way to care for patients. Biopsychosocial means that the "body, mind and social" dimensions of human experience are all important to maintaining health.

I believe lifestyle is as important as medications in preventing and treating illness.

I have adopted a vegetarian diet for 30 years. My wife and two children are vegetarian as well; home meal planning is easy! I try to exercise daily and practice meditation as a form of stress reduction.

I encourage and support all my patients to explore ways to improve their health by adopting a therapeutic lifestyle, avoiding tobacco, drugs, excessive alcohol and even TV. Love, family, friends and a sense of your own purpose and meaning round out my current understanding of the best recipe for health and well-being.

I joined Kaiser Permanente in July 2005. I chose Kaiser Permanente because of its mission to provide excellent quality and service. With Kaiser Permanente's new, advanced information technology, I can address health issues with increasing convenience and comprehensiveness. By having teams of physicians, nurses, behavioral medicine specialists, health educators, physical therapists, pharmacists, and other health providers working together, I have a chance to be the most effective clinician possible. That means I'm more likely to be happy with the care I can provide my patients.

I attended Notre Dame University, medical school at University of California, San Diego, and the UCLA Family Medicine Program. I have practiced as a family physician since 1983 and have served in medical management/leadership positions. I have published in the American College of Physicians Executives journal and other journals. I have served on the Board of Directors of several health-related entities including foundations, a hospital and an HMO.

I was President and CEO of Primary Care Associates from 1998-2002. I was also President and co-founder from 1996-2003 of the Northern California Center for Well-Being. I earned a Masters of Medical Management from the American College of Physician Executive's University of Southern California program in July 2002.

I studied Ayurvedic Medicine in India and was certified as an affiliate ayurvedic physician in 1988, studying with Dr. Deepak Chopra. I like to integrate holistic medical principles into my practice.

My Medical Specialty

Great health resources that I refer to:

Kaiser Permanente has a wealth of health resources. If you were to read "Perfect Health" by Deepak Chopra, MD, "Reversing Heart Disease" by Dean Ornish, MD, "Prayer is Good Medicine" by Larry Dossey, MD and "Full Catastrophe Living" by Jon Kabot-Zinn, PhD, you would have a pretty good understanding of the vision I have for practicing medicine.

An interesting story from my training:

I was blessed with an extraordinary international year in medicine in medical school. UCSD approved and supported me working/studying in six other countries for one year. I took an extra fifth year of medical school to do research that concluded with a published research paper in the American Journal of Psychology of the effects of meditation on pain.

Interests

Currently reading:
The Eighth Habit by Steven Covey, PhD

Great movie:
March of the Penguins

Hobby Photos & Links:

I ran the 1980 Boston Marathon with Rosie!

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My wife, Elizabeth, and I met in San Diego 25 years ago when I was in medical school. Our first date was sharing a chocolate ice cream cone, which was a great start! She's my best friend... and with a Master's in Nursing and being a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner she's well trained to be one of the best moms I've met! Our daughter, Victoria, is a junior at Ursaline. In Massachusetts she did well academically and played on varsity teams in basketball, soccer, and track. Now that she's in sunny California she's decided to try out for Water Polo.

My children and people I care about:

My son, Christopher, and I are good buddies. We recently went to Hawaii with the rest of the family (see "Travel Stories"). He enjoys art, music, sports, and is pretty good at standup comedy. He's brought his love of lacrosse from our recent move from the Boston area and hopes to find a team in Santa Rosa.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

My father has always been one of the most important people in my life. My mother passed away when I was young and he's remained single since, raising both my younger brother (Brian is a dentist in Palo Alto) and me. He retired from medicine and moved to Oakmont four years ago. At age 81, he is still quite a good tennis player. We recently won a mixed doubles match together (this photo). I hope I can practice medicine as long and if blessed still hit a ball when I'm his age!

Photos of my Family & Friends:

Victoria, my daughter and Elizabeth, my wife

My son, Christopher (13) and me riding waves

My father, Warren and I playing tennis

We've always loved animals. "Sweetie," our newest member of the family, was born in Massachusetts, but seems to be adjusting to California life just fine.

Pet Photos:

"Sweetie", our new kitten

Travel

An adventure I've had:

The most exciting adventure I've had was trekking in the Himalayas with my wife serving remote, high altitude medical mission clinics in Nepal. The scariest adventure was getting lost with sherpas and hiking 25 miles one day not knowing where we were! Obviously, we made it to tell the story! While it's a beautiful country, it's one of the poorest. I keep the photos up in my exam rooms in part because of their beauty; but also to remind me of how blessed we are in this country.

Favorite place in the world:

My favorite place in the world is "home, with the family." Like everyone else, I get "distracted" with the busy-ness of life. But when I'm home the world always seems a bit more hopeful and happy. Thank God for the love and caring that family brings!
My second "favorite" place is "nature" which reminds me of the perfect balance that surrounds us if we just stop and "see".

One of my recent trips:

Our family spent a special time in Hawaii (the Big Island) together this summer. The highlight was SCUBA diving with my son on a night dive. The lights intentionally attract plankton which in turn brings out Manta Rays to feed. As I learned, they have no teeth but they get real close (see photo).

Travel Photos:

Nepal-where I worked for Shanta Bhawan Medical Mission Hospital

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

The biggest water fall in Hawaii shared with family in the pouring rain-it doesn't get any better!

Nature-my favorite "place" in the world

Trip Photos:

"Large" Manta Ray eating plankton at night, nearly eating Chris and me!

Christopher and me: SCUBA 60 feet deep

Other Links & Photos