Dr. Maury Jay Schulkin, MD

Welcome to My Doctor Online, a website Kaiser Permanente physicians developed to help you address healthcare needs simply. I am a family physician trained in the care of children, adults and routine office gynecology. From this site, check your preventive health needs, reorder medication online or act for a family member. Learn about conditions, online programs and improve your fitness and health, in mind and body. Background

I grew up in New Jersey, moved to Los Angeles at age 10, and then went to U.C. Berkeley, where I met my wife, Ann. My medical schooling was at U.C. San Diego, followed by a Family Practice Residency at Santa Monica Hospital.

I originally chose family medicine as I went through my clinical electives in my 4th year of medical school. During that year, we would rotate through a different specialty every month. At the end of each month I would say, "This is great, this will be my specialty". Then the next month, it would be "no, actually, THIS is …great, I should specialize in THIS." And so on. After one year of this, I realized that I wouldn't feel like a "real doctor" unless I became a generalist, and I decided on family practice.

"During my family practice residency I spent a month with my wife and child living in the town of Mariposa, California, working in a rural practice. One of my duties was to be on-call for the emergency department of the local hospital.

One day I had a most unique patient to take care of. "Blackie", a local canine citizen, had gotten himself bitten by a rattlesnake. He arrived at the emergency room in the back of his frantic owner's pick-up truck.

Before I could apologize that I didn't know how to treat a dog, the seasoned nurse took me aside and informed me that they did, indeed, have a file card from an old veterinarian explaining how to treat the dogs for their rattlesnake bites. I read it; it recommended shots of penicillin and cortisone, a bowl of water, and a shady spot to rest.

Well, I wasn't about to prescribe treatment without examining the patient, so I visited Blackie in the parking lot, took a look at his bite, and nodded to the nurse to go ahead. As far as I know, Blackie lived to tangle with more rattlesnakes, and I learned that you can't always go "by the book".
Roles and Responsibilities

I love being a doctor! I love having the opportunity, each and every day, to have a positive impact on another person's life. It may be the right words, the needed touch, or the right diagnosis or treatment plan that makes a difference. Often the seemingly simple acts of listening, caring, using humor, and reassurance, are as healing as are any medicines.