Austin-area physician Paul John, MD, credits his father’s cancer battle with his own natural caregiver tendencies. He was only 11 years old when his father passed and says that afterward and “at every state of development,” he found himself in the position of taking care of those around him, including his mother and three brothers. This natural want and need to care for family members led to his eventual career in medicine.
Who or what inspired you to become a family physician?
I went to a liberal arts university and had exposure to many different areas of study. I had always been interested in and excelled in the sciences and ended up getting a degree in biochemistry. I had convinced myself that I wanted to be a chemical engineer. During the summer between my third and fourth year of college, I spent some time with a chemical engineer and realized that it was not the career path that would fulfill my desire to help people. That is when I decided that I wanted to become a physician.
While in medical school, I was exposed to all the specialties. Like many family practice doctors, I found that I liked parts of all the specialties. My favorite part of the practice of medicine is the diagnostic part. I was exceptionally good at using my skills to find the right diagnosis. Because my financial burdens were so great, I decided to apply for a military assistance scholarship. I was awarded a United States Navy scholarship to help me pay for my tuition and other expenses. It was clear that my talents were best utilized as a family practice doctor.
What are your practice passions?
My training was at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. The training at this naval hospital was unique because we were the only house staff treating patients. We did not have to compete with other specialties to get exposure to patients of various medical needs. After graduating from my residency, our first duty station was at the naval hospital in Guam. My wife and my two young children joined me in Guam. We fell in love with the island and the people there. It was an unbelievable experience for a family physician, and I was able to see a part of the world that I would never have seen practicing medicine in the states.
Part of my experience during my time in Guam was a mission trip to many small islands around Guam, the Mariana Islands. It was a 17-day cruise with a medical team and each island had its own unique medical challenges. The people that we met during this excursion were some of the happiest people that I have ever been privileged to take care of. This also was the inspiration that I needed to begin my journey for the next 30 years. I found that my talents could be broader and involve mission work. Because of my training in the Navy, I was very qualified for volunteer work. In the last few years, I have joined with a team of doctors that go down to Guatemala every year.
Why do you choose to be a TAFP member?
Throughout my entire career, I’ve been a member of TAFP. I’ve had three medical licenses, but Texas has always been my home. TAFP has been with me no matter where I have been in the world. Their contributions have been amazing. The resources that were available to me as a member helped me start my own business in private practice. My wife became my office manager and with help from TAFP was able to get us going in solo practice in 2001. We have never looked back. I sometimes wish I could get more of my colleagues to utilize the resources that they have, for those having questions about starting their own practices.
What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?
I am 62 now and I am frequently asked when I’m going to retire. I have no intention of retiring at any time. My practice has evolved into a wonderful group of people who have been my patients for so long now that I take care of three and four generations of families. The ones who were young children in the beginning, now have children of their own. They tell stories about coming to see Dr. John when they were little. My wife is the office manager, and we can honestly say that we are a true family practice.
My hobbies include travel, golf, scuba diving, snow skiing, and visiting my children who are scattered around the United States.
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.