Mark C. Handelman, MD

I've been seeing Dr. Handelman for eight years. I've had two other memorable doctors, but Dr. Handelman is by far the best. Not only is he a great doctor, he is a wonderful person, along with everyone on his staff. He always listens and answers all of my questions, of which there are many. Dr. Handelman treats me like family, and I hope to be a part of that family for years to come.

Dr. Handelman and I share a unique doctor-patient relationship. We are both primary care internists. He has known and accepted from the beginning that he is my second opinion, my own being the first, of course.

It takes a special physician to carry that off. Having sat in his chair, I know how hard it is to cede control to your patient, when you know better what is the right course of action.

Mark and I (yes, we are on a first name basis, also not easy for him, I'm sure) have debated the merits of statins, osteoporosis medications and the like, quoting studies and compromising on courses of action.

Last year, during my annual physical, because of my history of high cholesterol, he suggested that I have a stress test. My EKGs have always been normal, and I had no symptoms, so I declined. He did not object.

Three months ago I purchased a treadmill in attempt to lose some weight. Still asymptomatic and hiking on Mt. Charleston with my daughter, out of an abundance of caution, I asked Mark for a stress test. He suggested a CT angiogram, telling me it would give us more information. The morning following the CT, I received a phone call from the radiologist reading it, informing me that I had a 90 block of my proximal left anterior descending artery and needed intervention now. The cardiologist he recommended, well trained and personable, performed the procedure five days after the radiologist's call. It went without incident, and I went home the proud owner of a new stent and an excellent prognosis.

When I saw Mark the following week, he smiled and asked me if I would like to stay on the statins prescribed by the cardiologist. He left it up to me.

That is the point of this whole essay. He respects the fact that I have a right to make my own decisions. He respects me. And I respect him for it. I also respect his clinical judgment and take that into account when we decide my course of action.

I was taught years ago that a physician should be a care giver and not a care taker. Mark shares that philosophy. Not all doctors do.

Dr. Handelman has been there for me and my family for over 15 years. We were the first family to follow him when he became an MDVIP affiliated physician several years ago, and we are so thankful we did. He cared for my wonderful mother before her death and continues to care for me, my husband, and my 90 year-old father. Indeed, I would be at a loss without his thoughtful attention to our health. During emergency situations, no matter the hour of the day or night or whether we are at home or traveling out of state, Dr. Handelman has been responsive to all of us. When it became important for my mother to have Hospice care at home, Dr. Handelman with care and grace discussed this option with my mother and our family and then helped me during an emergency to contact Hospice. Five times when I have been out of town (HI, CO, NM,FL, and CA) and have had health issues surface for me or my husband, Dr. Handelman has been at the other end of the phone advising me. Even when Dr. Handelman has been out of the state himself, he has answered his cell phone and helped me and my family. We are so thankful to have him in our health corner. Without him, I do not know if we would have made it through some of the health challenges we have had. He is extraordinarily competent, caring, and professional. I have every confidence in him; he makes a difference in all of our lives.

Dr. Handelman is a very caring person who openly discusses all the medical issues at length but never in a rush. He gives us all the time needed to assess all possible approaches and outcomes.
We need more like him.