Dr. Manjunath Nathan is a physician with privileges to see patients at the Yuma Regional Medical Center. He opened his own solo-practice, the Arizona Medical Center, in Yuma, Arizona where he serves his patients.

Dr. Nathan attended high school in Lancaster, California. While he was still in high school, he was a volunteer at the hospital where his uncle was not only a general surgeon but his inspiration. Following his time as a volunteer, he decided to attend a prestigious medical research institute in India to begin his medical training.

After completing medical school, he returned to the United States to complete his residency at the North Shore University Hospital in New York. Upon completion of his residency, he took a fellowship in echocardiography at the University of Southern California, which he completed in 2006.

During the time that Dr. Nathan was doing his fellowship at USC, he would do a lot of moonlighting over the weekends to gain more experience. He had the opportunity to work at several urgent care centers as well as a couple of hospitals. The additional experience that he received would guide his decisions for the future he would create for himself.
While moonlighting at healthcare facilities that are managed or run by what is known as an HMO (health maintenance organization), he realized that 100% of their patient-interactions were based on finances rather than patient care. Rather than the experience giving him the ability to hone his skills as a physician, he was instructed to make a decision of care based on cost even if it was detrimental to the patient. This was an unacceptable way to care for patients for Dr. Nathan. These lessons have made him the doctor that he is today. The doctor, who like his uncle, believes in providing quality care in his own practice and improving the quality of life for his patients.

Dr. Manjunath Nathan is married and they have a son. His solo-medical practice as a primary care physician, the Arizona Medical Center, was started in 2006. He had searched for a place to call home after he completed his medical training. He fell in love with the nature, beauty and splendor and all that Arizona had to offer. His wife joined him after she completed her residency.

Dr. Nathan revels in the knowledge that he can do things his own way. He does not have to worry about anyone telling him that he has to squeeze in more patients or cut down on patient time. Patients come first at the Arizona Medical Center. They are focused on providing quality care and improving the quality of life for Dr. Nathan’s patients. This is just how he planned it from the start.

Why did you choose to become a doctor?
My uncle was my inspiration that influenced my decision to become a doctor. When I was in high school, I used to volunteer at the hospital where my uncle was a general surgeon. I had the opportunity to follow my uncle when he did rounds at the hospital. I saw how he was able to help people who were in pain. It inspired me and I wanted to do the same for people. I made my plans to go to a very prestigious medical school in India.

What area do you specialize in?
I specialize in internal medicine. We generally see anyone who comes to our practice. Our practice is usually with adults 18 and over. However, the patients we serve tend to be in their 60s and over. We focus on the conditions that are most common in that age group.

What is your daily routine?
My daily routine is different every day. You can’t have a schedule during the day because disease doesn’t take a break. When I used to work in Los Angeles, we would get would get trauma cases sometimes where we were delivered 15 gunshot wound victims at one time. That is the thing about medicine, you have to be prepared. You have to be flexible for anything that might be thrown at you.

What do you love about your job?
I love how much I can help my patients. I love knowing that we can make their lives easier and add a better quality of life to their lifespan. It is also a good feeling to be trusted for the care of your patients.

What would you consider to be the greatest accomplishment in your career?
I would have to say, my first biggest accomplishment is when I became a doctor. The second accomplishment is knowing that I get to deliver medicine without the bureaucracy. I am able to do what is right and best for my patients.

Tell our readers about some of your volunteer activities.
We go to third world countries when we volunteer. We get a look at another spectrum of patients. They really don’t have the privilege of the same health care system that we have here. It helps me personally and professionally to see how medicine is handled elsewhere. We sometimes volunteer at the Crossroads Missions as well. It teaches us how to improve our own practices. For example, in our local community, we incorporate a lower fee schedule for those who have difficulty paying for their own healthcare. In that way, we are able to give back to the community who support us.

What do you do in order to mentally separate yourself from your job?
I do multiple things to ease myself from the job. First of all, I have several exercise programs that I use. You need to get the adrenaline flowing. I spend time in meditation, I write in my gratitude journal, I go on hiking trips. In general, I get most of my relaxation time when I am in nature.

As a Doctor, what is the most important purpose in your practice?
At the end of the day, what we do for the patients is the most important thing. At the Arizona Medical Center, we strive to improve the quality of life for our patients.

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