Most patients have some degree of interest in knowing a little more about their physician than where he went to school.  Many physicians are of the opinion that any personal information shared begins to blur the boundaries between patient and provider.   I have found that I can better build a therapeutic alliance when patients have some sense of who I am, what I like. I’m a Kansas City native, a University of Kansas graduate for college, medical school, and residency.  I’m ma

Depression in the Elderly Major depression is common in the population at all stages of life. Between 6-8% of adults will develop an episode of depression in a given year. But wait!- let’s be sure we are clear about what depression is. Depression is not an isolated day of feeling blue, sad, or ‘bummed out.’ Depression is a clinical illness that has well defined symptoms, which are present every (or nearly every) day for a period of at least two weeks. Beyond sadness, peopl