Dr. Jeffrey John Mcinturff, MD

My Profession

I’m an Emergency Physician. This is a relatively young specialty in the field of medicine, with a birthday back in the early 1970s. I chose this specialty for a number of reasons. Firstly, a practice in Emergency Medicine is extremely diverse. In the same afternoon or evening, I could fix a dislocated shoulder and treat a heart attack. I can treat an ear infection and then repair a large laceration. I can stop a nosebleed and then diagnose a patient with appendicitis. Secondly, a practice in Emergency Medicine is very tangible, hands-on. Our patients present to us with acute problems that we attempt to fix. Hence, Emergency Medicine is both challenging and rewarding.

My Practice Philosophy

Even utilizing the best that preventive medicine has to offer, trauma and disease are a fact of life. Simply put, vaccinations and bicycle helmets are only so effective. Furthermore, accidents happen on weekends and holidays. As an Emergency Physician, my role is to be there when my …patient’s personal physician can not be.

An important part of my practice is communication. For every patient with a heart attack that I treat in the ER, I see another 10 patients who are worried that they are having a heart attack. Communication and reassurance are crucial for these patients. Patient education is an all too often neglected component of disease prevention and treatment. This is especially true for patients who suffer from conditions that are poorly responsive to medications or surgery.

Why I Like Working at Kaiser Permanente

I have the freedom to focus on the care that I provide my patients. Working for Kaiser Permanente has enabled me to utilize my medical degree rather than my business degree. (Just kidding, I don’t really have a business degree.) I like practicing medicine, not running a business.

At Kaiser Permanente, I have the privilege of working with a collection of physicians that I both like and respect. It’s always easier to come to work when you enjoy the company of the people you work with.

My Personal History:

I was born in Mountain View, California. I went to high school at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, California. After college, medical school, and residency, I spent 3 years in Germany serving with the US Army. After leaving the Army in 1999, I joined Kaiser Permanente. Following the tragic events of 9/11, I joined the Army Reserves.

During my free time from Kaiser Permanente and the Army, I enjoy training for various endurance events like marathons and triathlons (trying to live by my own advice.) During the winter, I try to get up to Tahoe as much as possible. There, I enjoy both snowboarding and snowshoeing, the latter of which I can enjoy with my two dogs, Cody and Dave.

My current aspirations are to finish a half-ironman triathlon by the age of 40 and to relearn the guitar (a childhood talent I’ve long since neglected.)