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Profile of a Rural FP: Robert Matthies, MD
Dr. Robert Matthies, MD and the love of his life and soul mate for 51 years, Marcie Matthies.
Name: Robert Matthies, MD (Prescott, AZ)
Years an FP: 46
Years a Rural FP: 46
HPSA-designated Community? Yes
The Arizona Academy of Family Physicians would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Robert Matthies on his selection as the Arizona Academy of Family Physicians' 2009 Family Physician of the Year. As a family physician, teacher, mentor, community leader, and caregiver to thousands of patients spanning the Northwest, Midwest and Southwest, and for his tremendous efforts in the Gulf Region following Hurricane Katrina in supporting local family physicians, Dr. Matthies epitomizes the values, truth and spirit that form the vision of family medicine. Along with Marcie, his wife of 51 years, Dr. Matthies has cared for rural Hopi and Navajo communities, developed a special caring for patients and families coping with Alzheimer's disease, and he makes house calls. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Dr. Matthies, and express our gratitude for the example he has set for rural family physicians everywhere.
Laura Hahn, Executive Vice President, Arizona Academy of Family Physicians
I graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine in Chicago in 1961, and part of my training was at Cook County Hospital, which provided me with much pathology, and really helped develop some skills I needed later. My hometown was in Lansing, IL, a small community near thousands of acres of produce-growing farms, and I worked in them often. My internship was a "rotating" one. Marcie and I then moved to Keams Canyon, AZ, on the Hopi Reservation, surrounded by the Navajo Nation, for two years, in a 30-bed hospital, often with a census of 40 or more. We were quite isolated, usually had a working telephone, and did all kinds of medical and trauma medicine. We then spent a year in Limbe, Haiti, where I replaced a physician who needed a furlough, and was the only physician for about 50,000 people. No phone, electricity 2-4 hours daily, hospital census 30-40, and about 80 patients a day in the clinic. I have returned there to help four times on short visits.
I've also worked in Nome a summer, and helped again on a Navajo reservation for a month. I became a doctor to "help people," and it has been a rewarding vocation, a ministry. My wife, Marcie, has been a great support, having a heart for people. She is a musician, and has helped in the office numerous times. Rural practice provides many benefits; getting to know and participate in the community, as well as the other physicians. Getting professional help is sometimes a challenge. Also, with discretion, I utilize many of the skills I have learned, to provide cost-effective care for folks. The variety of problems certainly provides mental and emotional stimulation! I spend much of my time with folks about psychological issues, caring for the "person".
I've also worked in Nome a summer, and helped again on a Navajo reservation for a month. I became a doctor to "help people," and it has been a rewarding vocation, a ministry. My wife, Marcie, has been a great support, having a heart for people. She is a musician, and has helped in the office numerous times. Rural practice provides many benefits; getting to know and participate in the community, as well as the other physicians. Getting professional help is sometimes a challenge. Also, with discretion, I utilize many of the skills I have learned, to provide cost-effective care for folks. The variety of problems certainly provides mental and emotional stimulation! I spend much of my time with folks about psychological issues, caring for the "person".
Staff Note: Dr. Matthies has indicated he would be willing to speak with any student or resident who may be interested family medicine. You can reach him by e-mail at matthies@cableone.net.
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