Dr. Justin Stocks, MD

What I DoI want my patients to know I will always go the extra mile to make their day better. My philosophy of care is to treat the patient with the exceptional care I would want for my own family. I work with patients by providing them education and data about their illness empowering them to make decisions about their care.Why I Love My WorkWhen I was 6 years old, a stick impaled my leg and I developed an infection. The amazing care I received from my pediatrician and surgeon inspired me to help others by serving as a physician. My entire life has been focused on this goal and I strive, daily, to improve my knowledge, clinical abilities and active listening skills to help my patients feel comfortable, empowered and optimistic about their situation.I enjoy the diverse patient populations, procedures, physiology and duties of being dual certified in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Variety constantly renews my passion for medicine, and there is always more to learn.What I enjoy …most is spending time with my patients and getting to know them on a deeper level. Their beliefs, psychology and interests can be woven into a unique treatment plan that helps them achieve wellness and happiness with their medical care.I chose to work at CentraCare for a variety of reasons. The clinic, endoscopy and intensive care staff are incredibly professional, reliable, friendly and a joy to work with. My colleagues are knowledgeable, skillful and dedicated to superlative patient care. Lastly, the administration’s response to COVID-19 was the best response I have witnessed and demonstrates an organized, practical and knowledgeable guiding hand.Getting to Know MeComing back to Central Minnesota is great because I get to see old friends, family and associates I have known for decades. Moreover, I get to fill a critical role in a needed specialty and provide outreach to my hometown of Willmar.I love music and enjoy playing guitar, saxophone, bass guitar, mandolin, ukulele and piano. My other hobbies include reading and everything personal fitness. You can find me at the YMCA five to seven days per week.I have military training with trauma and mass casualty experience which I gained during my time in the U.S. Navy where I also served in medical relief missions.Some other interesting background points are that I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a sharpshooter firearms ribbon in the military, and I am a published author of lung research and textbook chapters.