Alice Kagan, MD

Bio

I have been a Kaiser Permanente physician for over twelve years. I grew up in a town somewhat similar to Santa Rosa, but it was close to the Atlantic ocean and an hour drive from New York City. I wanted to move west to attend college, but did not come to California until I graduated from the University of Michigan. I then spent seven years working as a chef, a fun and creative job. But, it became time for a change to a career in the medical field. I chose to attend nursing school as a first step. After my graduation from nursing school, I took pre-med courses and then went to medical school at Medical College of Pennsylvania, a school that had a more humanistic approach than other medical schools. I finally made my permanent move to California to complete my psychiatry residency in Los Angeles. Before moving to Northern California, I worked as a psychiatrist treating veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, and also in county clinics in the Los Angeles area. I was happy to leave the Los Angeles area and relocate to Santa Rosa, a slower and more peaceful place to live.

Kaiser Permanente allows me to make my own decisions about how to give the best patient care. I chose which medications and treatments would be most helpful for you, after consulting with you about your preferences. Kaiser also offers a multidisciplinary treatment approach and easy access to specialists. My job is made even more rewarding by being part of an outstanding Department of Psychiatry where I work with other colleagues who are professional, caring, and talented people.

As a psychiatrist, I work closely with psychologists, therapists, and neurologists as well as primary care physicians to offer you an integrated health care system. This allows you to have your own personalized treatment plan. Our clinic offers diagnostic evaluations, medication treatment, crisis evaluation, alcohol and drug treatment as well as individual and group therapy. We also offer unique classes and groups that allow people to learn skills and develop new habits to deal with their specific problems. Group teatment is especially excellent in our department, and I have seen many people's lives changed by active participation in groups and classes in conjunction with medication management.

I became interested in psychiatry as a specialty because I found it to be the most interesting and stimulating area in medicine. I also feel this speciality allows me to use my personality and unique gifts to help others.

Working collaboratively with patients is an essential part of my style of practice. I see our relationship as a partnership designed to help you understand yourself and your symptoms better. This can enable you to resolve and/or decrease symptoms in order to achieve a healthier and happier life. Medications are essential for many people to bring balance to their neurochemistry. This generally allows for a signicant decrease in the symtoms of an illness, thereby allowing a greater quality of life.

Please try out the links on the side of the page to find out more about various health issues. If you wish to learn more about my credentials you can use the link on the bottom of the page. Lastly, please don't hesitate to contact me with your questions or concerns.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

I chose to be an Adult Psychiatrist because I have had an interest in medicine and psychology since my teenage years, and Psychiatry represents the merging of these two fields. I also had a natural ability and a knack for understanding Psychiatry. I enjoy being a physician and psychiatrist because it is deeply rewarding to have a part in helping people decrease their suffering and take control of their lives and destinies. Medicine has always been an interest of mine. Understanding the biology and psychology of the human body is fascinating to me. I also like working closely with people.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

A longtime interest of mine has been alternative medicine and the mind-body connection. I also am interested in women's health issues. I enjoy working with prenatal and postpartum concerns as well as the concerns of the elderly. However, I find my practice more meaningful if it includes general psychiatry which allows me to see both men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, and with a variety of different issues.

Current projects or research:

I am a member of the Depression Best Practices Workgroup of Northern California, Kaiser Permanente. We recently rewrote The Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Depression in Psychiatry, for Kaiser Permanente, Northern California. However, I like to see all types of people with varying concerns.

Great health resources that I refer to:

The classical textbook on psychiatry -Kaplan's and also Kaplan's Synopsis of Psychiatry, Psychopharmocology textbooks, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, and ongoing continuing medical education courses in psychiatry.

An interesting story from my training:

Throughout my training, the Psychiatry residents were allowed to manage the care of patients during the evenings, nights, and weekends in the largest Psychiatric emergency room in the country, at County Hospital of Los Angeles. It was a very exciting and challenging opportunity to treat patients in one of the largest Psychiatric emergency rooms in a major metropolitan city. It was a busy ER, and much like that seen on TV shows like "ER", or "Gray's Anatomy". Patients were brought into the ER, often by the Los Angeles Police Department. This experience allowed me to see and treat patients who were often homeless, very ill, or in an acute episode of their illness. This gave me an opportunity that many other training programs did not provide.

Photos from My Training Years or of Practicing Medicine in My Field:

Graduation from Medical School Celebration

Interests

Currently reading:
I enjoy reading historial fiction and mystery novels

My favorite book or author:
Shogun

Great movie:
ET, All about Eve, but there are so many

Hobby Photos & Links:

A Beautiful White Rose

A Fuchsia Plant in my Yard

A Gardenia Blossom in my Garden

Hiking up to Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls

Hiking in Multnomah Falls
flowers in my garden

Family & Friends

An interesting story about my family or friends:

When my grandfather first came to the United States, he made his living peddling fruit from a horse-drawn cart. They were very poor. My father put himself through college playing music in a band. He served in World War II and then became a physician. His medical school was funded by the GI bill. He had originally wanted to become a surgeon, but finances stood in his way. He eventually became a pediatrician and loved his practice.

As a teenager, I accompanied my father to the hospital newborn unit. I first witnessed a caesarian section when I was 16 years old, and I almost fainted. Nonetheless, my desire to become a physician remained, but changed from neonatal pediatrics to psychiatry.

I have two wonderful 7-year-old cats, named Enigma and Annabella. They are half-siblings and grew up together. They love each other very much and follow me around as though they think they are dogs. Annabella is a tabby cat and Enigma is half-tabby and half chartreux. Enigma looks like a chartreux cat and is all grey. Neither one likes being photographed, so here are two of the best photographs of them.

Pet Photos:

My Cat Enigma

My Cat Annabella

Travel

An adventure I've had:

I was lucky to have taken a semester off college to earn money for a trip to Europe. I went with three close friends, and we traveled in England, Wales, France, Spain and Ireland for several months. It was fun to experience and learn about the various cultures, lifestyles, and cuisines of each country. When I was sixteen, I spent a summer in Dijon, France and had the opportunity to live with a French family and attend the University in Dijon. I love Europe and especially enjoy exploring the countrysides and cities.

One of my recent trips:

I recently went to Kansas City, Missouri to take a psychiatry course. I thought it would be a rather boring place, but I found it to be a lovely city with gardens and fountains and good food. I wish there had been more time to explore the city, so perhaps some day I'll return there.

Other Links & Photos