Kathryn Marie Charnock, M.D., Major, MC, USAF: Graduate: Hart High School, Newhall ’99 Deployed: Afghanistan, 2013-2014 Present: Lackland AFB Parents: Paula Charnock Millar, George Charnock, M.D.
Doctor’s Diary August 27, 2023: To Lie or Not to Lie, That is the SciFi Question
Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury and I attended Los Angeles High School separated by 15 years. He once spoke there and quelled the rumor he failed English: “I got a … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary August 17, 2023: The slowing of technology by the medical-industrial complex
The slowing of technology by the medical-industrial complex How I practice medicine has changed for the better because of technology. In the future I foresee no pandemics, cancer becoming a … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary August 3, 2023: Senior Moments
We worry about politicians who trip over sandbags, walk gingerly down rain-soaked stage ramps, or have “episodes” during press conferences or Congressional meetings. Typically, these frailties are attributed to “old … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary July 22, 2023: Parades are for memories
Parades are for memories Raising children is not an easy task. But as parents, we try to provide occasional life experiences they will preserve as memories for decades to come. … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary July 12, 2023: Doin the Walk
Doin the walk On the first day of class, one of my medical school professors limped in, stopped, then proceeded to teach us specifically what ailment a patient has to … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary July 1, 2023: Buffalo and Hart Park
Buffalo and Hart Park I miss the buffalo. They always seemed so gentle. Sometimes they would roll around in the dirt kicking up a dust cloud at Hart Park in … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary June 28, 2023: Ageism and the role it plays on being a doctor
Ageism and the role it plays on being a doctor There are several certainties in the world, and one is we will age. But unfortunately, there are some unforeseen consequences … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary June 10, 2023: Lessons learned from the pandemic – a silver lining
Lessons learned from the pandemic – a silver lining Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, many Americans were unaware of the 1918 pandemic that rampaged across the United States a century before. … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary June 3, 2023: A thank you to my Los Angeles community
A thank you to my Los Angeles community I am a medical doctor in my fourth decade of saving lives, but my life was saved long before today by a … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary October 15, 2022: Pulling the Plug
Pulling the Plug How many older adults and disabled have had their “plug pulled”? Here is a recent story how a group of senior advocates fought back and rectified state … Continue Reading →
Abortion States: Facing Restrictions from Faith-based Hospitals
Abortion States: Facing Restrictions from Faith-based Hospitals Medical decision-making is not easy. A patient’s quality of life, including career and family, may hang in the balance. I have practiced … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary February 22, 2022: Avoiding Covid-19 asymptomatic carriers
Doctor’s Diary: Avoiding Covid-19 asymptomatic carriers Nationwide distribution of at-home Covid-19 self-tests kits has begun. Individually, we should be able to determine if one’s symptoms might be from the … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary January 17, 2022: There Oughta Be a Law
There Oughta Be a Law I was Chairman of the Ethics Committee at our local hospital. An emergency meeting was called at family request. The father had been brought to … Continue Reading →
Guest Commentary December 13, 2021: Dr. Thomas W. LaGrelius – Having an advocate doctor
I applaud Dr. Dorio for pointing out the potential hospitals could have to abuse the system and limit care for the sake of the hospital’s bottom line. In 2018 I … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary September 14, 2021: Strategy to Survive Hospitalization as an Older Adult
Hospitals have evolved as a business. They are bigger, have flashy newspaper and TV ads, and tout medical prowess. Arising now from their sterile halls are horror stories of compromised … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary July 29, 2021: “Breakthrough”: Contracting COVID-19 Even After Vaccination
“Breakthrough”: Contracting COVID-19 Even After Vaccination We seek perfection. Nadia Comaneci was the first gymnast awarded a perfect “10.0” in the Olympics, and Bo Derek was “10” in a 1979 … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary July 2, 2021: The nursing home crucible
(Snippets from the frontline) The nursing home crucible Harriet broke her hip and needed surgery. Post-operatively, the hospital was swift to push her out the door, while Medicare controlled the … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary May 30, 2021: A Decade of War by Hospital Administrators on the Practice of Medicine
A Decade of War by Hospital Administrators on the Practice of Medicine Medical doctors are trained professionals trying to survive in a complex system that is increasingly hostile to their … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary May 9, 2021: Saving Dodger Manager Dave Roberts’ life
(Not a snippets from the frontline) Saving Dodger Manager Dave Roberts’ life I got home late and didn’t know if the Los Angeles Dodgers had won that day, so I … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary May 7, 2021: Gallantry in the face of fear
(Snippets from the frontline) Gallantry in the face of fear I remember when my high school friend lost his father. He was a surgeon in Vietnam when their hospital mobile … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary April 30, 2021: Aging in Place
(Snippets from the frontline) Aging in Place I care for a married couple named Fred and Wilma, and they tell me we live in the Stone Age. They are hopeful … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary April 10, 2021: Mental illness is the root of our problem
(Snippets from the frontline) Mental illness is the root of our problem Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic brings us to light at the end of the tunnel. Arising again are mass … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary March 28, 2021: COVID-19/BLM: The last pandemic
(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19/BLM: The last pandemic Dr. Anthony Fauci has worked tirelessly for years battling infectious diseases including the COVID-19 pandemic. In his epic story, a vaccine was … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary March 20, 2021: COVID-19/BLM: “I ‘herd’ it through the grapevine”
(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19/BLM: “I ‘herd’ it through the grapevine” COVID-19 “herd immunity” is a national goal that might help put us out of harms way. But government messaging … Continue Reading →
Doctor’s Diary March 12, 2021: COVID-19/BLM: Natural Selection and making decisions
(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19/BLM: Natural Selection and making decisions I am a scientist and believe Charles Darwin is the father of evolution. Plus, after reading medical literature, I support … Continue Reading →