"“Patients may see a series of specialists, from an orthopedist for a replaced knee to a cardiologist for the stent in their heart. But if you ask who their doctor is, they will name their family physician.”
When Dr. Robert Gorman was in high school, he heard about the shortage of family doctors. The American Academy of Family Physicians had recently been established as a specialty to encourage more primary care physicians. He was intrigued; he was interested in the career and knew he had the scholastic aptitude. “It was a goal that I thought I could reach, and I really never looked back,” he says.
Dr. Gorman currently serves as the chair of the board of the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, the state chapter of the national organization that inspired this journey. As a school physician for the Cedar Grove Public Schools, he’s a constant presence in the local community. A founding member of Vanguard Medical Group, he’s also the family doctor for generations of families.
“It’s the personal relationships that we have with our patients and the longitudinal care that we provide that distinguish family medicine,” says Dr. Gorman. “Those relationships are also what I enjoy most about my job.”
Patients tell Dr. Gorman that they appreciate his thorough, comprehensive and detail-oriented approach. “They like that I listen, which is perhaps the most important of all,” he notes. “They also like that I’m friendly and that I conduct office visits with good humor, when appropriate.”
Wellness is a constant focus in those conversations. “I try to encourage my patients to schedule a wellness visit annually,” he says. “But during every encounter, I’ll touch on some parts of wellness. That means if you come in for a sore throat, I’ll check to make sure your screenings and immunizations are up to date, or talk to you about smoking if need be. Preventive care is always top of mind.”"
