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Dr. Kurt Kang, M.D.'s interest in medicine began in college while working in a hospital lab. He soon realized he enjoyed interacting with doctors and helping solve patients’ problems. After graduating from Emory University with a degree in neuroscience, he decided to bypass a research career and attend medical school at St. Matthews University on Grand Cayman Island.
A Georgia native, Dr. Kang’s studies eventually led him back to his home state. His connection to Savannah dates back to his internal medicine residency, which took place at Memorial Health University Medical Center.
“Having had my residency in Savannah allowed me to create a strong network in the area,” Dr. Kang says. “It’s helped me better care for and guide my patients, and really understand how healthcare in Savannah works.”
The idea of treating patients over a long period of time appeals to Dr. Kang, and led him to focus on primary care. Having spent time working in an intensive care unit during his residency opened his eyes to the importance of preventative care, he says.
“Many of the patient issues we were seeing could have been avoided,” Dr. Kang recalls. “They were dealing with complications from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. These events alerted me to the true value of routine health maintenance and preventative care.”
The experience gave Dr. Kang the desire to treat primary care patients with early intervention, setting them on the path toward healthy living. Some of the most rewarding aspects of his job include helping patients lose weight and come off medications for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
“The thing that makes the most impact, in my opinion, is good routine care over a long period of time,” he says, “keeping up with health guidelines and keeping those basic things under control.”
Another rewarding part of primary care, Dr. Kang explains, includes catching health concerns during regular, periodic exams. For example, he recalls spotting an elderly patient’s lung cancer during a routine screening. Dr. Kang was able to use his local healthcare contacts to quickly help arrange the treatment the patient needed to recover.
“We see these types of things often, so we don’t always understand the positive impact we have on the lives of others,” he says. “In this case, the patient was so incredibly grateful. She was in tears, hugging the staff. It was a great reminder of the significance of our work.”
In addition to treating patients, Dr. Kang enjoys connecting with them on a personal level and creating an accessible, interactive office environment. “In primary care, you spend years treating many of the same patients,” Dr. Kang says. “You get the privilege to experience life alongside them. From childbirths to graduations to weddings, you hear about it all. It’s a real joy to be a part of the patients’ lives.”
When he’s not treating patients, Dr. Kang enjoys life with his wife –who’s also a primary care physician– their daughter, and their goldendoodle. They spend time boating, fishing, and exploring local restaurants. Dr. Kang is an avid guitarist and is in the process of getting his pilot’s license.
