Dr. Ethan Kobe Joins North Main Family Medicine with WHS
By Andrew Wilson
One of the great benefits of being a family medicine physician is the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients.
"In my opinion, family medicine is the purest form of medicine," said Ethan Kobe, DO, a recent addition to the medical staff at WHS Family Medicine-North Main in Washington, PA. "You have the opportunity to have a direct impact on the health of your patients."
A family practice physician provides continuing and comprehensive care for a patient of any age or gender. It would not be unheard of for a family practice physician to see, during the same day, a mother with her newborn, a teenager for a wellness exam, and an older adult wondering if they can still live independently.
Dr. Kobe said that one of the things that he most appreciates is the opportunity to have a discussion with patients, not just about their own health, but maybe a health issue or treatment that they have read about or heard on the news.
"Sometimes patients may have questions about something another doctor has told them, and they want my opinion," he said. "I'm happy to have that conversation with them. It's important to ask questions to better understand your health."
When he's not seeing and caring for patients, Dr. Kobe says that he likes to cook and enjoys building models – particularly Lego models. However, those hobbies have taken a back seat recently after the birth of his daughter, now nearly two years old.
"Most of my free time these days goes toward entertaining and caring for her. She is almost two years old and is quite active," he laughed, adding that on occasion he misses the days when he could put her down and she would stay put for a few minutes.
Dr. Kobe, an alumnus of West Liberty University and the West Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, returned to the tri-state area after completing a family practice residency in Ventura, Calif., where he engaged in inpatient care as well as outpatient skilled nursing.
Some may not have wanted to leave Southern California's sunny weather behind, but Dr. Kobe said that he likes the change of seasons that this area offers, as well as the desire to be closer to family particularly since his daughter was born.
"Having a child will change your perspective on things," he says.
Dr. Kobe is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and anticipates completing board certification by the American Board of Family Medicine soon. He is a member of several medical and academic societies.
"One of the things that I try to impart to my patients is the necessity to get back to basics," he said, adding that good health begins with regular exercise, eating right, and annual or semi-annual physician visits.
"I like to tell my patients that their health today and tomorrow will affect their health in the future," he said. "That's why it is important for people to take the steps today that will improve their health in the future. It's never too late to practice good health."
Dr. Ethan Kobe is a full-time family medicine physician at Washington Health System Family Medicine North Main. For more information or to make an appointment, please visit whs.org/northmain or call 724-225-9970.
At-A-Glance Profile:
Education: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Board Certification: American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians
Affiliations: Washington Health System (WHS)
Area of Specialization: Family Medicine
What Inspires You to Do What You Do: My patients and my family
Community Involvement: Still settling into the community, but hope to be active in the community soon.
First Job: Mowing grass when I was in high school.
Pet Peeve: My wife leaving an ounce of juice or milk in the container.
Proudest Accomplishment: Delivering my daughter.
Most Valuable Lesson: Listen to people. Some people just want to know that someone is listening to them.
Person You Most Admire: The first man to step on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. I wanted to be an astronaut when I was a kid.