Dr. Janet Barbara Leventhal, MD

What I Like About My Job

I love my specialty of anesthesiology. We anesthesiologists often call ourselves "Peri-Operative Physicians." We are the ones responsible for you doing well in the operating and recovery rooms. We have the privilege of taking direct care of patients and working on a team. We often consult with other physician specialists about taking the best care of our patients. Working as a team with other Kaiser Permanente professionals is very rewarding and helps me to "keep up" with all the new technologies, medications, and therapies.

Why I Became A Physician

I always wanted to be a physician. When I was very young, people would try to correct me when I said I wanted to be a doctor, saying "You mean you want to be a nurse." I always had to set them straight! My early ambition comes from my father, who was a chest surgeon. He always talked with me about medicine. I sat next to his right hand at dinner and he would draw operative anatomy lessons on my paper napkin. Not …surprisingly, I loved biology, and anatomy was one of my best subjects in college and medical school.

If I hadn’t become an anesthesiologist, I might have been a surgeon or I might have gone into public health. Medicine is great in that there are so many good career choices. I am interested in public health because it is the key to healthy patients and communities. I often spend time at my son’s school talking with classes about health topics.

My most recent talk was, "Why You Should Never Smoke." I love children and other "living things", both animal and plant. I spend a lot of time with pets and in my organic garden. I hope to help coming generations to be more healthy and to create a healthier environment for all living creatures.

What I Like About Kaiser Permanente

We have a team approach to your health. Please take advantage of classes that are offered regarding any of your health problems. From talking with people who don’t subscribe to the Kaiser health plan, I can tell that our health education really makes us stand out from the crowd. Once you learn your way around at Kaiser Permanente, you will find that we have a great organization and offer the best in partnering for your care.

In order for you to do well during and after an operation, we need to be "partners in care." We evaluate you and make plans for an appropriate anesthetic. You need to take the best possible care of yourself before and after your procedure. If you smoke, try to quit. Your wound will heal sooner and your lungs will do better. Eat a diet that's low in fat but high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Be as active as you can. Exercising is important for all of us, not only to keep physically strong, but also to keep your immunity up and your heart healthy. Get active and stay active as soon as your surgeon allows!