Kirk Pappas, MD
 |
Joined Sep, 1993 Department: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation [Map] Occupational Medicine [Map] Title: Physician Degree: MD Interests: Running, Triathlons, Baseball Languages: English Physician Homepage |
BioMy parents both immigrated from Europe, and eventually settled in San Mateo, California. I attended the University of California at Berkeley and majored in Biology. I then ventured to the Midwest for the remainder of my training starting with Medical School in Detroit, Michigan at Wayne State University School of Medicine. I was the class president my 2nd year. I did my internship at the Detroit Medical Center, before moving to Chicago to complete 3 years of training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rush-Pres-St. Lukes Medical Center. I was the Chief Resident my last year. I selected Physical Medicine as a specialty because of my personal interest in sports, and many of us practice "Sports Medicine." | |
My Medical Specialty | |
More details about my specialty:I chose Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as it allowed me to participate in the care of musculoskeletal medicine. Sports are an important part of my life. But my specialty is committed to helping patients achieve the highest function possible. I am proud of all my patients when they overcome their injuries, whether it is someone with paraplegia from a spinal cord injury living independently, or a injured worker that successfully gets back to work, or a young athlete getting back to their sport. My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:I am a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. An interesting story from my training:When I was a resident in Chicago, I remember rounding in the Rehab Hospital on a 88-year-old patient with bilateral hip replacements. Her underlying disease was severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. Her hand deformities made it seemingly impossible to use her hands. She managed to learn how to use a walker. When I discharged her home, she said she had a lesson for me. She told me that all of us are "temporarily-abled." She told me to have empathy for all of my patients because we all are likely to encounter challenges and probably an illness or injury which would disable us and that I needed to understand that. Each and everyday, all of my patients remind me of that tough lady. |
|
Interests | |
|
My favorite place to race is Boston. It has been a few years since I was fast enough to qualify. But each time I have run that race, I have been overwhelmed by the support, emotion and tradition of the Boston Marathon. The first time I finished the race, I was so happy that I had to sit down and think about what I had accomplished. A race volunteer came up to me and asked me why I had tears in my eyes. I told her that I was just so happy that I had finished the Boston Marathon. Currently reading: My favorite book or author: Great movie: |
Hobby Photos & Links: |
Family & Friends | |
People in my life:My wife. She is the person who has had the strongest influence on my life. She is strong, smart and a perfect partner in our lives together. We have been married since 1983. My children and people I care about:I have three children. Ted, Nicky and Alexa. They are each special. Ted is the oldest, he is named after my dad. In the Greek tradition, you name the oldest boy after the father's father. I am named after my Grandad. Nicky is next, he was actually going to be named Cal after either Cal Berkeley (where my wife and I met in college) or Cal Ripken, who broke the Ironman record the year Nicky was born. But my wise wife chose Nicolas instead. Alexa is our youngest. My wife picked the name for her, and it is as beautiful as she is. An interesting story about my family or friends:My wife and I are both first-generation; both of our parents were immigrants. My wife's Mom and Dad came from Italy. My Dad came from Greece and my Mom from Germany. We both were fortunate to go to college, since neither of our families in Europe ever had the opportunity. We both appreciate the importance of education. It is not to be taken for granted. This is surely something our children could attest to if you asked them. |
|
|
My pets: I have a new dog and her name is Bella, she is a black Lab. |
|
Travel | |
An adventure I've had:I ran the Boston Marathon 3 times. Favorite place in the world:New York City. I love the hustle, the subways, the food, but most of all the museums. My favorite day in NYC was when my wife and I visited the Guggenheim, the Met and MOMA on the same day. One of my recent trips:I've spent each of the last 4 summers volunteering at the UC Alumni Camp, "The Lair of the Bear," as the camp doctor. I climbed to the top of Half-Dome, quite a day. |
Travel Photos:
My first Boston Marathon: I finished 3001 out of over 13,000 runners A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:
My favorite place in the world. Trip Photos:
Nice View |