An Interview with CHI Health Surgeon Alan Parks

Hi! This is Dr. Michael Aaronson, kidney doctor/ simple country nephrologist. Today I'm speaking with Dr. Alan Parks, general surgeon at CHI Health. Thank you doctor for taking time out of your busy schedule so that we can get to know you better.

Parks: Thank you.

Aaronson: Tell me a little about yourself: where did you grow up, where did you train, and what you do for fun?

Parks: I grew up all throughout the United States.

Aaronson: Why was that?

Parks: My father worked for the Air Force, civil service. We would move approximately every six years. So I've lived in Virginia, Hawaii, Nebraska and Florida. But Nebraska is home. I went to high school here at Bellevue East. I went to college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I went to med school at Des Moines University where I found a passion for anatomy and general surgery. I pursued my general surgery residency in Columbus, Ohio.

Aaronson: You've lived in so many places. Why is Nebraska "home"?

Parks: My family lives here. I have spent the majority of my live here. Omaha and its surrounding towns are a great place to raise a family. It's a great place to live and a very friendly city.

Aaronson: I couldn't agree with you more! After all, if it is good enough for Warren Buffet, it is good enough for me! Let's move on: you are general surgeon.

Parks: That's correct.

Aaronson: What kind of surgeries does a general surgeon perform?

Parks: General surgeons perform operations on the following organs: thyroid, breast, anything within the abdomen -- gallbladder, appendix, colon, and spleen. When highly complex operations are required, a specialist is called in. Hepatobiliary surgery would be an example of this.

Aaronson: Ah, I understand. So the more complex the word, the greater the number of syllables per word, and an increased number of words required to explain the operation, makes it more likely that a specialist will be called in.

Parks: That basically sums it up...

Aaronson: Tell me what you do for fun.

Parks: I'm a father of four. So right now I spent my free time raising my children.

Aaronson: Where is your main office located?

Parks: I'm based out of Papillion. My office is located in the Midlands 1 professional building.

Aaronson: I think the Midlands campus is gorgeous.
Parks: I agree. CHI Health did a beautiful job. I would call it a true overhaul. I remember Midlands Hospital from before. It is truly amazing what Midlands has become.

Aaronson: Not only does it look nice, but there's also a lot of substance going on behind the scenes. For example, the radiology department has all of the latest and greatest equipment. The intensive care unit is brand spanking new. In addition to bedside care, patients are monitored electronically by critical care doctors for the majority of the day. Efocus has helped me out on many occasions. For example, I was performing kidney dialysis at CHI Health Bergan Mercy hospital and was called by a Midlands bedside critical care nurse for a kidney related emergency. Efocus helped stabilize the patient as I drove to Papillion. Another thing I like is the fact that the CHI Health pharmacy is now located in the hospital -- it used to be across the street. The pharmacists there are a tremendous resource patients can use for information, and their accessibility can't be beat.

Parks: A good radiology department is critical to the success of a surgeon's practice. Radiology studies help the surgeon know where to go in the body and what to focus on. The radiologists help me to make for example, an exploratory laparotomy less exploratory.

Aaronson: Of all the surgeries you perform, which one is your favorite?

Parks: I love to take out gallbladders, especially those done laparoscopically.

Aaronson: Is there anything else you would like to say about your practice? Anything in particular that you would like the public to know about you?

Parks: My training has prepared me to take care of a variety of surgical diseases. I've been trained to use the latest surgical techniques to give great care to the patients I see. I'm available at Midlands, Lakeside, and Bergan Mercy. I want people to know that I will do everything in my power to take the best care of you possible.

Aaronson: I have had the opportunity to work with you on a few occasions. And your passion to do a great job translates to great care at the bedside. You have a very good bedside manner. You're there for the patient. You spend time with the patient. In sum, you are a really nice guy.

Parks: Thank you.

Aaronson: My pleasure. Well, I appreciate the time you spent today. Agreeing to an interview on a Saturday is above and beyond the call of duty.
So for everybody out there interested in learning more about Dr. Parks, feel free to click here. CHIhealth.com allows you to schedule an appointment if you wish. Another option is to go through your primary care provider.