Terry Simpson, MD: Scientist, Author, Cook, Surgeon:
Dr Terry Simpson resides in Ventura, California and his great passions are research, writing, teaching, surgery and cooking. He received his bachelors, masters, and medical degree from The University of Chicago. He has authored a number of scientific papers, as well as books, and a few blogs. His current area of research involve satiety and stomach hormones, as well as their implication with various forms of surgery and diets.
Dr. Simpson, when not doing research – can be found in the operating room where he sees a small, but select group of patients. He is proud of his partner, Dr. Helmuth Billy, and they love what they do. While he performs weight loss surgery, his first rule for his patients is that they make changes to their lifestyles. He attends most patient support group meetings, where he encourages them to adopt a better lifestyle by eating healthier, and often teaching them how to cook. Always seeking better and more interesting foods, Dr. Simpson also exams diet plans from others with a skeptical, educated eye.
Dr. Simpson is deeply involved in Alaska Native affairs, currently sitting on the board of the Alaska Native Regional Medical Center, and South Central Foundation, a primary care center, where he advocates for better health care for all Alaska Natives. The primary care center they run has won many awards, most recently the Baldridge Award, and is often cited as an example of how primary care centers should be run (during normal hours patients can see a primary care physician within 30 minutes).
Born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, the salmon capital of the world (he once hated salmon – -but now loves it, fresh and wild like he enjoys most things), his family goes back 10,000 years, coming to Alaska over the ice bridge on their way to Arizona for the winter. That makes him an Alaska Native (Athabascan variety). His grandfather came to Alaska in the 1890’s and his dad was mostly raised in an orphanage in Seward (wrote a book about those experiences – Jesse Lee Home: My Home by James L Simpson). His dad and mom have been married for over 60 years, and retired to Oregon. Terry’s brother still lives in Alaska – Copper Rail Depot in Copper Center, Alaska (where, like the rest, has authored a book). His mom is a “wizard” in the kitchen – and passed on her love of cooking.
Dr Simpson’s true loves are his wife, April, his son, JJ (born 7-20-2010), and his dog, Lucky.