“…recognizes the priorities in each circumstance.”
Critical Care Medicine
Fresno
"The art of being a great physician is knowing that the patient in front of you is the most important patient," says John Gasman, MD. His compassion and expertise in pulmonary care, critical care, and hospital medicine make him invaluable to patients. "My job is to take care of the patient, and I try my very best to do that," says Dr. Gasman.
His effort shines through when he assists the Continuing Care Department by facilitating the patient repatriation process. Dr. Gasman acts as a communications liaison for patients and their families, doctors, and hospital staff to help determine whether Kaiser Permanente members receiving treatment elsewhere should be brought to the Fresno facility for care. Dr. Gasman recalls when he phoned a patient’s wife: "I assured her that the transition would be smooth, and that we’d provide her husband with quality care.
Reaching out to the patient and family may take only a few minutes, but it makes a huge difference," he says.
A true patient advocate, Dr. Gasman recognizes the priorities in each circumstance. "If you know the patient won’t survive, sometimes the best you can do is help them and their family cope with that reality comfortably and with dignity." With that, Dr. Gasman makes a difference and finds rewards in every situation.