December 25, 1998/ 6 Tevet 5759, Vol. 51, No. 14
A true family practiceFather and son pediatricians take similar approach to life and workKATHERINE ECKSTEIN
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 Dr. Gerry Golner looks on as Dr. Brad Golner, his son, consults a chart. |
They both smile a lot. They have the same laugh and very similar voices, and they sometimes finish each other's sentences. They are both family men - Gerry is the father of three grown children, and Brad is the father of two young children. They both belong to Temple Chai in Phoenix. And both of the Golner men are pediatricians at Phoenix Pediatrics, a group of seven physicians in northwest Phoenix.
Brad, 31, who graduated from the University of Arizona medical school in 1995, joined his father's practice in July of this year. What prompted Brad to follow in his father's footsteps? The oldest child of Gerry Golner, 55, and Sandy Fromm says he, like his father, was very interested in the sciences as an undergraduate, adding, "I knew I really enjoyed working with people and helping people out."
Though Brad knew that he was interested in medicine, he was unsure about what kind of doctor he wanted to be, admitting that when he began medical school, he wasn't even considering pediatrics. "As a child, I had seen a lot of what my dad had to go through starting his practice ... I thought, 'Pediatrics is the pits.' "
But after beginning medical school electives, one thing became clear. "The moment I saw my first pediatric patient, I immediately knew. It was one of those things that just stuck right out and blared in my face, 'This is it!'... I knew that I just loved kids."
Gerry's reaction to his son's decision was positive, but he emphasizes that Brad came to his decision on his own. He explains that while his own mother wanted Gerry to be a doctor, Gerry tried to put little pressure on Brad to go into a particular field. In fact, though Gerry believes that medicine is a wonderful, rewarding profession, he is concerned about the changing face of medicine - especially managed care - and has voiced his concerns to Brad.
Brad says his father's best advice has been encouraging him to make his own decisions. Brad explains that his father has advised him through example and guidance.
But Gerry does admit, "I was very gratified when he decided on pediatrics."
Brad says that following in his father's footsteps has been great. After medical school, Brad entered the same pediatric residency program that his father had completed 25 years before.
Of his time as a medical resident in Phoenix, Brad says, "Thank God my father has a good reputation." Noting that many doctors know his father because he has been in the community so long (25 years), Brad continues, "It has made it a lot easier to work with my peers and other physicians in the community."
The younger Golner says the opportunity to work with his father and the focus of his father's practice were big attractions for him to join Phoenix Pediatrics.
"We take care of a large, medically fragile population - children with special health-care needs, children with severe disabilities," explains Gerry, adding that Phoenix is the largest city without a medical school, and therefore children with special needs don't have the medical care that medical-school clinics often provide. He says his practice helps fill much of that void.
Michelle Shank, a registered nurse who works with the Golners, says that though they are similar in many ways, the doctors Golner certainly are not carbon copies of each other.
"Brad tends to be more reserved and quiet, while Gerry is more outgoing," Shank explains. "They complement each other."
Harmony James, who also works with the Golners, remarks, "It is not surprising to me that they are both pediatricians if you see them interact with kids and parents. They both truly, truly love kids. It's not a business for them."
Both Shank and Harmony say the Golners have the same work ethic, which they attribute to genetics.
"They both spend so much time with their patients ... whatever time is needed. We're always behind," Shank says with a smile and a sigh.
Shank adds that the Golner men work well together and are very professional. "Brad comes to his dad with questions. They are very open and respectful of each other."
Brad verifies that he goes to his father for advice, pointing to his many years of experience as a physician. But Gerry pipes in that advice is not a one-way street. "I don't claim to know everything," he says, and adds with pride, "I consult Brad too. It's fun to be able to consult your kid."