Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Is There a Veg-Friendly Doctor in the House?

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

stethoscope.jpgI’m searching for a veg-friendly general physician in Los Angeles.  Why?  Because it’s been a long, long time since I had a general check-up, because I just returned from Costa Rica where I’m 99.9% sure I had Dengue Fever, and because I’d prefer to see a doctor who “gets” my diet.  Sadly, it’s rare to find a mainstream, Western medical doctor who is familiar with and supportive of a vegetarian–much less vegan–lifestyle.

Lately I’ve been lucky: When my new OB/GYN, the caring and talented Dr. Stacey Rosenbaum, learned that I was a vegan, she offered no criticism.  Instead, she had the foresight to suggest that I take an extra folic acid supplement, just in case I become pregnant.  Dr. Rosenbaum gets an A+.  Now I need to find a General Practicioner on the same wavelength.

Googling thus far, I’ve only found one Los Angeles-based doctor who identifies herself as a vegan.  Her name is Dr. Heather Shenkman, she’s an Interventional Cardiologist, and this is her blog.  I had high hopes that her office would be able to refer me to a GP who would, at the least, be informed about and accepting of veg*nism, but my phone call led to a dead end.  Dr. Shenkman said that she was the only veg-friendly LA doc she knew of.

I have to believe that there are other Los Angeles physicians who are knowledgeable about living healthy as a veg*an.  I’m going to compile a list here, and I hope you’ll help me.  If you are, or know of, a vegetarian or vegan-friendly Los Angeles-based medical doctor (all kinds welcome) please email me and I’ll add your contact info to the list.

Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly Medical Doctors in Los Angeles:
Rita R. Kumar, M.D. - Internal Medicine, Clinical Genetics
Anna Milstein, M.D. - Cardiology, Internal Medicine
Stacey P. Rosenbaum, M.D. - OB/GYN
Heather Shenkman, M.D. - Cardiology