Carson Tahoe Physician, Dr. Christopher Forman, Retires After 35 Years
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 12:30pm
After 35 years as an integral part of Carson City’s medical community, providing compassionate care and expertise as a trusted advisor, healer, and friend, Dr. Christopher Forman retired in April from the Carson Tahoe Medical Group as an internist and primary care provider.
Dr. Forman is a fourth-generation Nevadan from Reno. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and then trained at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. After completing his residency at Oregon Health & Science, he returned to Nevada in 1987 to begin in private practice with Dr. Rex Baggett.
“In those days it was very different. There were no providers caring for patients inside the hospital. We would go back and forth from the office to the hospital—get a call from the Emergency Room and have to run from seeing patients to admit a patient.” Dr. Forman further recalled, “Our medical group recruited some of the first hospitalists, who work primarily at the hospital, and that made things a lot better. It meant fewer calls from the Emergency Room at 3:00 am.”
Practicing medicine in one place for 35 years placed him at the forefront of a lot of change, in his patients, and in the community. “Carson City has changed a lot, but I appreciate how it has been very intentional about making this place very livable. You can walk around downtown, it’s inviting and there are lots of shops, restaurants, and things to do.”
Dr. Forman also loves nature and being outdoors hiking, fishing, and biking. “One of the best things we have done in Carson City was protecting open spaces. From the parks to the amazing bike systems, the wetlands, and Carson River, you can still bike through the ranches and see all types of birds and ducks.”
He has also witnessed and helped shape the growth of Carson Tahoe Health. “It’s been fun to watch Carson Tahoe grow, all the specialties and services we offer, finding ways to serve each person who comes to us...It has become a major medical center with resources to recruit physicians, surgeons, and specialists. That growth is a huge benefit to this community,” Dr. Forman said.
The rapid advancement in medical technology and treatment has been the biggest change Dr. Forman has noticed during his years of practice, from treating diabetes through medication managing weight and insulin, immunotherapy breakthroughs in oncology, the advances in stents in cardiology, and the use of Da Vinci surgical robots. “The technology we have now gives doctors so many more options for treating their patients and improving lives!”
As he reflected on the years of COVID, he was glad that the crisis passed but saw some positive aspects that came through the pandemic, especially for rural healthcare and seniors. The nimble adoption of telemedicine, including psychiatry and psychology, has been great for patients, giving them access to services they could not access otherwise.
“When COVID hit, Carson Tahoe Medical Group was pretty quick to implement telehealth visits, which immediately made getting care more accessible for patients with transportation issues like being unable to drive, or living far from a clinic.”
He believes that the future of health for rural communities is getting the proper care for their populations and that the technology and infrastructure are already in place. The role of public health nurses and other rural nurses will increase, being able to hold office hours and connect medical equipment, and remotely consulting with physicians.
“Hopefully the government and Nevada's legislature realize how important this advancement is and continues to pay for it, because of the value it provides—especially in underserved rural communities.”
In retirement, Dr. Forman plans to spend more time in outdoor recreation (after catching up on his home improvement to-do list) and spending time with his family. His passion for the community and his medical experience could see him one day becoming an advocate for public health issues, but that will have to wait for now.
Dr. Forman's many years of dedicated service, compassion, expertise, and commitment have made a tremendous impact on his patients and our community. His absence will be deeply felt, as will the ongoing gratitude of so many lives touched by his care over the years.
