In this Spotlight, we learn more about Dr. LaMoreaux, our fantastic volunteer rheumatologist and 2020 Specialist of the Year! Kind, compassionate, and always willing to share his wisdom, Dr. LaMoreaux is a critical part of our team of volunteer providers and shares more about his life, passions, and perspective below.
Name: Brian LaMoreaux Where do you call home: Deerfield, Illinois Occupation: Physician, Medical Director Volunteer Role: Rheumatologist
In a few sentences, tell us more about yourself and your background!
I am from Michigan originally and went to medical school in Detroit. My family is still in Ann Arbor but I have lived in East Lansing, Milwaukee, Columbus, and now Deerfield Illinois.
Is there a specific area of healthcare you are interested in or healthcare experiences you are seeking?
After being exposed to rheumatology in Detroit while in medical school I was really drawn to it.
If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?
Either reading minds or super-healing. Just give me both!
Do you have any special talents/skills you’d like to share?
I play all kinds of sports. Basketball and tennis mainly, but I also play pool, table tennis, bowling, pickleball and others.
Outside of volunteering with CommunityHealth, how do you like to spend your free time?
Usually playing sports/exercising, hanging out with friends, or reading.
What’s your favorite book or movie?
Tough one. I love “100 years of solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter series. I’ll watch nearly any movie, once.
What is something that not a lot of people know about you?
We had a big housefire when I was 13 and lost everything. Thankfully no one in the family was hurt but it forever altered my perspective on ‘things’ and what’s truly important in life.
If you could be one animal, what would you be and why?
I wouldn’t mind being a cat. You sleep most of the time and have a lot of independence.
What does your ideal vacation look like?
Experiencing something new – cultural, cuisine, excursions.
Why and how did you begin volunteering at CommunityHealth?
I work for a biotech company in the Chicago suburbs so I don’t see patients as part of my day job. Volunteering with CH was an amazing way to keep seeing patients, give back and engage with a passionate organization.
Do you remember your first day? What surprised you?
I do, Ava got me all set up and then Ana took it from there.
What has kept you volunteering all this time?
Because I love it. The patients, volunteers, and staff at CH are incredible and I couldn’t be happier being a part of it and contributing!
What is something you’ve learned from volunteering at CommunityHealth?
We can always improve on delivering timely, creative, culturally-sensitive and individually-focused comprehensive care plans to our patients. I strive to meet our patients where they are and to make things better.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your time with CommunityHealth, and how does this impact your other life or career goals?
That I absolutely want to keep providing direct patient care and CH gives me a perfect opportunity to do this.
How has working with CommunityHealth influenced your perception of healthcare?
I think a lot of larger health systems with different goals and models can lose sight of the most important part of everything, which is the patient. CH puts the patients first in a way no other organization I’ve been a part of could, and it shows.
Can you share an especially memorable moment working with a patient/fellow volunteer/staff member?
One of my biggest wins at CH was an effort with many others to screen the entire system for a rare disease, resulting in one patient being diagnosed and later (after much paperwork) getting on a compassionate-use cutting-edge therapy to improve their disease. This took a full-on team effort and everyone kept at it to help this patient.
How can CommunityHealth be more supportive of your journey?
Cloning Ana would help a ton.
What does being a healthcare professional mean to you?
It means you help people live healthier longer lives. But mostly it means giving back in whatever form that takes.
Why is volunteering important to you? What do you get out of it?
I get to be involved with a fantastic organization, stay active clinically, and take care of people who need it the most.
What advice would you give to a new volunteer at CommunityHealth?
Take it all in and be aware of ways we can all improve. There are tons of resources available and keeping them in mind is very helpful and can make a big difference!
We are endlessly grateful to Dr. LaMoreaux for his dedication to our patients and our mission. With his support, we’re that much closer to achieving our vision: quality healthcare for all!