Member of the Month: Mark Ambler, MD

Though he has served in a number of roles throughout the years, Mark Ambler, MD, has spent his entire family medicine career since residency at one place – Austin Regional Clinic. He’s worked on the peer review committee, executive board, clinical quality committee, and currently serves as the associate chief medical officer of primary care. His administrative work hasn’t kept him completely out of the clinic, however, as he still sees patients today. 

Ambler has also precepted medical students and nurse practitioner students over the last 20 years, and serves as the medical director of the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic. Austin Regional Clinic is currently one of TAFP’s Partners in Health.

Who or what inspired you to become a family physician?
My mother was a psychotherapist and always wanted me to become a psychiatrist. I found there was enough psych work in family medicine, but it gave me more variety of conditions to address as well.

What unique challenges are represented in your patient community?
The biggest challenge today is the lack of primary care in general. Unfortunately, there are more family medicine providers retiring every year than graduating from residency. That makes it hard for patients to find a provider, and they often accumulate several conditions to address before they come in. Affordability of care, especially medications, also can be frustrating for patients and providers alike when you think a medication will help, but is too costly.

What are your practice passions?
Like many providers, my patients have aged with me, so I see a lot of geriatric patients. Building those relationships over the years has been very rewarding, so keeping those patients as healthy and active as they can be is my passion.

You've been a preceptor for a number of years. What makes you want to do that work?
We all benefit from others teaching us over the years, so precepting is a good way to give back and some days I learn more from them than they learn from me.

Why do you choose to be a TAFP member?
Being a TAFP member helps link providers all over the state and supports students and residents who will be the backbone of primary care going forward. Solid primary care is the key to valuable medical care for everyone.

What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?
When I’m not working, I enjoy playing tennis. My dad started teaching me at age 5. Also, just about anything else outside — hiking, biking, kayaking.

TAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Texas family physicians in TAFP News Now and on the TAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different TAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting TAFP by email at tafp@tafp.org or by phone at (512) 329-8666.