Meet Dr. Tommy Dang

As told by Tommy Dang, D.O.

 

We sat down with Tommy Dang, D.O., a board-certified family medicine doctor with Endeavor Health Medical Group, to learn more about his practice. 

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Treating Patients for Life

In my practice I wanted to offer comprehensive care. Not only in the various aspects of medicine, but also in my patients' age range.

One of the major draws for me to practice family medicine is that I'm able to take care of the full range of life, anywhere from newborn to the elderly. It really brings me a lot of joy when I get the whole family in the room. It's a lot of fun to see people progress through life and to be there for them every step of the way.

I've often found that it's not just medicine that they share with me during the patient visit. A lot of times they're sharing family events, they're sharing photos and they're sharing milestones. All of that really brings a lot of pleasure to the job that I do. 

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Preventive Care

I think one of the biggest struggles in preventative care is acknowledging that there may be a problem in the future. I can see why patients would be a little hesitant to come in to see the doctor when they feel one hundred percent. And that's part of my role as a family physician, to fill in that gap.

I want to anticipate illnesses early, screen for them and do what I can to address them before they actually occur. I do my best to view my patient not only on paperwork and in the electronic medical system, but I try to view them as they are in front of me. They're an individual. They have their own story.  They have their own struggles. And you really need to take all of that into consideration when you decide what's best for the patient.

Sometimes it's about meeting patients in the middle ground. Figuring out what works best for them and trying to get them to the final goal, which is obviously better health. 

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Speaking My Patients' Native Language

The nature of being a family medicine physician is that we're sometimes considered a Jack of all trades. I think that's very true. But that being said, I also have some of my own special areas of interest.

Being a Vietnamese family physician, and being able to speak the language, I think it brings a different level to my care. There has been well-documented studies that shows that if you're able to speak in a patient's native tongue, they receive better care even though all standards of care are being followed.

I find it very rewarding to be able to speak in my patients' native tongue. To have them be able to communicate comfortably with me. I find that sometimes it often brings my patients to tears, just to be able to do something that simple. 

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By David Modica | Published November 22, 2019