Stellar Doc-Peter Valenzuela

By Pamela Ferman

March 27, 2020

In collaboration with PWT and HPEC, we celebrate ALL #StellarDocs during National Physician Week.

Specialty:

Family Medicine

Where did you attend medical school?

UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas

Where did you do your residency?

John Peter Smith in Fort Worth

Why did you go into medicine?

I watched my mother battle with ovarian cancer when I was in high school. Seeing her struggle with her disease inspired me to want to help others and keep them well.

What makes you a #stellardoc?

I think we're all #stellardocs with a desire to make an impact in the lives of our patients. I'm fortunate to run a multi-speciality group that has survived two fires in Sonoma County and is now fighting COVID-19 in our community.

What hashtags describe you?

#leadingbyexample #physicianwellness

What would be some phrases or characteristics that describe you as a physician?

Funny and empathetic

What you are passionate about in healthcare?

I'm passionate about the physical and mental wellness of our physicians and clinicians. While we help humanity cope with a pandemic, we need to take care of ourselves and stay healthy.

Where can readers learn more about you?

I am the creator of Doc-Related comics satirizing healthcare today (www.doc-related.com)

How has the COVID-19 crisis affected you as a person/physician/business owner?

Our county is also in a state of "shelter in place" asking everyone to stay home as much as possible. With that in mind, we've rescheduled all non-urgent visits across our specialties. We also have physicians and staff from our medical group that have been furloughed due to COVID-19

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.-- George Washington Carver