Wayne Freeman, DO

Bio

The first question people usually ask of me is, "What's a D.O.?" Just like Allopathic physicians (M.D.), doctors of Osteopathic medicine (D.O.) are fully qualified physicians licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medications. In addition to the four years of traditional medical education, Osteopaths also receive training in manual medicine techniques known as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (O.M.T.). Beyond the training in O.M.T. Osteopathic medicine has always stressed a patient-focused philosophy toward the practice of medicine rather than a disease-focused approach. Simply put, this means treating the whole person to prevent, as well as diagnose and treat illness. For example, as an Osteopath I don't see lung cancer as a primary disease process but rather the end result of nicotine addiction. Likewise, I see coronary artery disease as the end result of a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices. It's not enough to just treat the cancer or bypass the clogged artery, the answer is helping the patient find a way to change the behavior that led to the problem in the first place.

The second question I'm frequently asked is, "Why did you specialize in Emergency medicine?" Since a very early age I have felt compelled to reach out to those in need. Nowhere in medicine is that need more apparent than in those patients who present to the Emergency Department. Unlike other specialties which can limit the physician to helping only certain groups of people, Emergency medicine allows me to reach out to everyone.

Finally, the question many of my friends and neighbors, particularly those outside the Kaiser Permanente system, ask of me is "Why Kaiser Permanente?" I tell them that as a physician Kaiser Permanente has made me much more efficient and thorough. Because of our state-of-the-art information technology systems, I am able to access a patient's entire medical record including medications, allergies, immunization history, laboratory and radiology results, EKGs, and the name of their primary physician as well as any specialists they may have seen. This allows me to become very familiar with a patient even before I walk into the exam room thus helping to eliminate unnecessary laboratory and radiographic studies which may have already been performed on the patient.

In addition, these same systems allow me to refer a patient for consultation with any specialist I feel the patient requires and allows me to actually book the appointment for the patient. This ability to not only treat the patient in the Emergency department but to also arrange secure follow-up as an outpatient is a uniquely Kaiser Permanente trait. With its commitment to disease prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and patient focused care, Kaiser Permanente has allowed me to practice under the same philosophic principles with which I was trained and after ten years, I feel it has been a good fit. As an Osteopath, my education has made me not like every other doctor, just as Kaiser Permanente is unlike any other health care system.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

One aspect of Emergency Medicine that all the physicians, nurses and staff who practice in this setting are proud of is our universal commitment to treat anyone who comes to our door. We turn no one away who is in need of emergent care. Young or old, rich or poor, all are treated as family. Our only discriminating criteria: we are a "worst come, first served" not a "first come, first served" department.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

I am a member of the following:

American Osteopathic Association

American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians

Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California
Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California

An interesting story from my training:

Working as a senior Emergency Medicine resident one afternoon, I met a patient brought in via ambulance for abdominal pain. In addition, he had passed out twice that day while taking a deposition (as he was a prominent trial lawyer) and although he had been given a liter of intravenous fluids in the ambulance he still had a low blood pressure. I was certain from this history that he had an abdominal aortic aneurysm that was leaking but the only way I could be sure was to send him for an abdominal CAT scan (which at that time was state of the art but quite slow).

The only way to fix the aneurysm would be emergent vascular surgery yet the time wasted doing the scan could cost him his life as the aneurysm could rupture at any moment. After explaining this to the patient he chose to trust my judgment and opted to forgo the scan and go directly to surgery.

Just prior to the operation I met with his family and explained to them that if I was wrong their father would end up with a very large and unnecessary scar but if I was correct then the surgeon would be saving his life. Fortunately the latter scenario prevailed. Seven months later, after my family and I had moved from Michigan to California, the patient tracked me down and contacted me by phone.

For over two hours we spoke about how his life had changed after that day; how he had become much closer to his family after cutting back on work to spend more time with them, had begun exercising and losing weight, and how much happier he was after making these changes. Even though my part was small, it was very gratifying to know that I helped in changing someone's life for the better.

Interests

Currently reading:
All the Harry Potter books

My favorite book or author:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Great movie:
Currently enjoying the HBO series ROME

Hobby Photos & Links:

Chelsey, Riley, Audrey and the Grapes

Chelsey and Grapes

Riley and I crushing grapes

Riley and Grapes

Family & Friends

An interesting story about my family or friends:

Bucky's name:

While driving the minivan and U-Haul trailer from Michigan to California listening to a Country radio station (the only thing available in Tennessee) "Bitchin' Boss Hog Radio" (you can't make this stuff up), we drove through a small town called Bucksnort. (yes, there is a place called Bucksnort, TN and once again you can't make this stuff up!) The name stuck in our memory and when we bought our French Bulldog puppy we knew it was perfect for him.

Our first family pet was Bucksnort (Bucky) a French Bulldog. Sadly, we lost him this year to cancer. He was with us almost nine years and we loved him very much. The newcomer to the family is Oscar, a Golden Retriever. He too misses his buddy.

Pet Photos:

Oscar and Bucky

Bucky and Audrey

Travel

One of my recent trips:

Most people will not consider Michigan a top destination when contemplating a vacation. However, MacKinaw Island is worth the trip. Your trip should include a drive over the Mackinaw Bridge, a five mile long greenish version of the Golden Gate, a ferry ride out to the island, and at least a weekend stay in a place that will transport you back in time. There are (almost) no motorized vehicles on the island; bikes, horses, and horse drawn carriages are the primary modes of transportation.

There are many beautiful homes dating from 1800's to present day as well as Fort Mackinaw which was occupied by the English during the War of 1812. Also, there are lots of places to shop and eat, (Mackinaw Island fudge is as popular there as See's Candies are here), and great places to hike/bike/horseback ride. Visit the Grand Hotel. This was the film site for "Somewhere In Time" for you movie fans. For more info http://www.mackinawisland.us/