Jamie Weinstein, MD

Bio

I grew up in upstate NY and went to medical school in Portland OR. My husband and I then moved to the midwest where he attended graduate school and I did my residency and was on faculty at the University of Michigan. After seven years, we were eager to get back out to the west coast and settle in Northern California.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

I chose family medicine because I wanted to be able to take care of people of all ages and to view my patients as not just a collection of symptoms but as a whole person in the context of their family and community.

I see family medicine as a specialty that works with patients to promote their own health. Because of this, I strive to be open and non judgmental and to create a relaxed and comfortable environment for my patients so that we can work as a team. I feel honored that my patients are willing to share their lives and trust me to care for their families.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

I enjoy the full spectrum of primary care from pediatrics to geriatrics but especially love caring for adolescents and families with young children.

In my previous job I worked primarily at school based health centers and a clinic for teenagers and their children. I am very comfortable with outpatient pediatrics. I love getting a chance to know families during well child care and helping navigate all the developmental stages.

I am very comfortable and experienced with well women care including pap smears and contraception counseling.

I am also interested in complementary and alternative medicine. While I do not have particular training, I am always open to learning more and working with patients.

Current projects or research:

I recently took a position within Kaiser that allows me to teach medical students and residents through the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency. My areas of interest include breast feeding promotion, preventing childhood obesity, adolescent health and development, behavioral health, and mind body medicine. I am interested in the ways our culture and society impact our health, especially through the media.

An interesting story from my training:

My family and colleagues from residency tease me that my sheepish love of young adult fiction and teen movies is actually good "research" for adolescent care.

Interests

Currently reading:
Flux by Peggy Orenstein is amazing; also When Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

My favorite book or author:
Barbara Kingsolver, Anne Lamott, Malcolm Gladwell

Hobby Photos & Links:

lots of info about responsible consumption
great handmade stuff....

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My husband, Kif, is my best friend and I couldn't manage being a 'doctormama' without his support - plus he makes me laugh through all the chaos.

He has a PhD in environmental psychology and works for a local non profit consulting on energy efficiency and sustainability issues.

My children and people I care about:

We have 3 children - Espen, age 10, Sadie, age 6 and Simon, age 3 . Espen loves to read, especially fantasy and magic related books, and recently started fencing. He also plays the saxaphone. Sadie is in first grade - she loves science and art and knows all the different varieties of oak trees in northern California. Si is our fierce, non-stop child; he is usually whirling around our house with some sort of makeshift weapon pretending to be a knight or a superhero.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

My dad is actually now married to the sister of the Norwegian exchange student at his high school. My dad and "Oncle Bjorn" stayed friends for years, and my dad and Ruth married in 1986. We have a wonderful blended family including my brothers Bjorn and Haakon and my sister Helene. Recently we all met up in Michigan as my youngest brother plays on a junior B Hockey Team in Iowa.

My mom lives in upstate NY and is incredibly energetic and wise - she teaches swing dance and lindy hop and plays ukulele, stand up base, the fiddle and most recently guitar.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

Kif and I on a great trip to the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario

Kif and Simon - it may be Halloween but with us you never know!

First day of school in California!

Simon and the cooker...

Sadie and Simon summer 2005

Hiking at Lake Lagunitas ( they love it can't you tell?)

Espen and Baby Simon in 2005

sadie

halloween 2008

My Mom Esther with Simon and I last fall

My brothers and sisters with Espen and I

This summer we adopted the perfect dog - named MILO ! We also have our rats - Romeo and The Nose. Once I got over the rat part, they are actually pretty cute and fun.

Pet Photos:

milo

Travel

Favorite place in the world:

I have traveled and lived many different places but am so excited to explore Northern California more - currently I can think of nothing better than walking out my backyard into the open space and hiking up into the hills - the wildlife and views are unbelievable!