Meet the Doctor

The Mind Behind the Mic

Behind every great episode of Dr. Chris Health is a doctor who’s lived the stories, asked the hard questions, and knows that empathy is just as important as expertise. Dr. Chris uses his medical expertise to simplify health topics and empower viewers with clear, practical insights that connect real life to medical concepts.

University Education

  • University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee) - BS Zoology, 09/06/1977 - 05/15/1981
  • University of Wisconsin (Madison) - MD, 08/27/1981 - 05/19/1985

Certifications

  • American Board of Internal Medicine - September 15, 1988 (valid indefinitely)
  • Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine- April 10, 1992 (Recertified 2003, 2013, 2023) (Expires 2033)
  • ABIM Diplomat in Hospice and Palliative Medicine 2010-Present
  • Certified Medical Director, American Medical Directors Assoc. January 2002- 2014
  • American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine: Certified Medical Director: 2014-2030
  • American Board of Hospice & Palliative Medicine 1-1-2003 through 12-31-2010 (Recert. - ABIM above)
  • Pain Medicine - American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 9-11-04 (Expiration: 12/31/2027)
Certifications

Volunteer Work & Offices Held

  • The Uniontown Hospital Ethics Committee, Chairman, 1990 - 1992
  • The American Heart Association, Fayette Division, Board Member, 1992 – 1998
  • AMDA Foundation Research Network, Steering Committee and Faculty, Jan 2002- Aug 2007.
  • AMDA Foundation, Board Member, Two Terms: March 2003- March 2009
  • Co-Chair, South Carolina Collaborative on Pain Management inLong Term Care, 2003
  • South Carolina Medical Directors Association, Secretary/Treasurer, 2003-2005, 2011-2013
  • South Carolina Medical Directors Association, President Elect, 2005- 2007, 2013- 2015
  • South Carolina Medical Directors Association, President, 2007- 2009, 2016
  • CarePartners Board of Trustees, Member, Asheville, NC 2021- February, 2025

Public Education & Media

  • The Uniontown Hospital Speakers Bureau, Member, 1989 – 1998
  • The American Heart Association, Fayette Division, Speakers Bureau, 1992 – 1998
  • Appearances on "Talk to the Doc", WAJR radio, Morgantown, WV 1992-1998
  • Appearances on “The Peggy Denny Show”, on the subjects of dementia and end of life issues. 1999-2003
  • Appearance on “The “Bill Drake Show”, WSPA radio, Spartanburg, SC November 2002
  • Videos (3) on Diabetes for the American Medical Director’s Association, August 2013
  • Producer, creator, and radio host of “Prescription for the Blues”, Blues411.com, 2017-2018.
  • Health Break: December 2024 on WLOS, Asheville, NC B12 Deficiency: https://youtu.be/1EDmEYIgv3I

Clinical Research

  • Clinical investigator in pharmaceutical studies of acarbose, bisoprolol, erythropoietin, estradiol, isradipine, metformin, quinapril, sumatriptan, tacrine, valproic acid, and zafirlukast (1991- 2018).
  • 1999- 3/2006: Associate Director of Research, The Sage Institute, Regional Senior Health, Spartanburg
  • Regional Medical Center, Spartanburg, SC
  • 2001-2005 Clinical Investigator, studies on Feeding Tubes, Vitamin B12 deficiency, and
  • End of Life Treatment. The AMDA Foundation Research Network
  • 2007-2008: Anemia in Long Term Care (Amgen/OmniCare). Aetna PRIDE (End of Life study)
  • 2010-2011: Thromboembolism in Long-Term Care (AMDA Research Network)
  • 2012 PRISM Study of Pseudobulbar Affect, an epidemiologic study.
  • 2019 – Use of genetic testing and influence on medication prescribing (Mission Hospital)
Bibliography

Bibliography

  • Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism: Practice Patterns in 17 Geographically Diverse Long-Term Care Facilities in the United States: Part 1 of 2 (an AMDA Foundation Project) T. Dharmarajan, C. Patterson, et. al. JAMDA 13 (2012) 298-302
  • Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Long-Term Care: Results of a Multicenter Educational Intervention Using Clinical Practice Guidelines: Part 2 of 2 (an AMDA Foundation Project) T. Dharmarajan, C. Patterson, et. al. JAMDA 13 (2012) 303-307
  • Prevention of Venous Thrombo-Embolism in Long Term Care: Multi-Center Project to Study Practice Patterns and Implement Clinical Practice Guidelines T. Dharmarajan, C. Patterson, et. al. JAMDA March 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 3, Page B19)
  • Patterson, CJ. (2007, November) Unrecognized Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Carolina Medical Directors (CMDA) Association Newsletter
  • Patterson, CJ. (2007, July) Inhaled Furosemide for Dyspnea. CMDA Newsletter.
  • Dharmarajan TS, Patterson C, George JP, Norkus EP. B12 Deficiency in the Absence of Anemia: A Common Problem. J Am Med Dir Association 2005; 6(2): B9.
  • Patterson, C.J. (2000, Summer Edition) How to Save Money on Medications. Senior Living Resource Magazine.
  • Patterson, C.J. (2000, Jan. 17) Capturing a bit of vacation can help fight daily stress. American Medical News, 43, 50,52.
  • Patterson, C. J., LaVenture M., Hurley S.S., Davis J.P. Accidental Human Inoculation with Johne's
  • Vaccine by Veterinarians in Wisconsin. AM J Vet Med. 1988; 9; 1197-1199.

Presentations

  • “Hospice Medical Direction as a Career Option” & Panel Discussion @ PALTC Futures Program, Charlotte, NC March 13, 2025
  • “Medical Decision-Making in the PACE Model” MAHEC Internal Medicine Residency, Asheville, NC, October 11, 2022
  • “Medical Decision-Making in the PACE Model” National PACE Association, Summer Conference, June 3, 2022
  • “Decision Making Capacity & Advance Directives” National PACE Association, Summer Conference, June 2, 2022
  • “Hyperkalemia” Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals - Various dates/ Locations 2020-2023
  • “Pseudobulbar Affect” – Avanir Pharmaceuticals - Various Dates/ locations 2012 - 2019
  • “Red Eye Rounds: Clinical Quandaries” AMDA- The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine 2018-2020 Annual Conferences
  • “Common Problems, Straightforward Solutions” Carolina Medical Directors Annual Mtg., Nov. 14, 2015.
  • “Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation and DVT” Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Various locations 2013-2018.
  • "Hospice and Palliative Care in the SNF" AMDA Futures Program March, 2010-2017, 2025.
  • "Nutritional Issues in the Skilled Nursing Facility" SCMDA June 3, 2011
  • “The Provider-Patient Relationship…” NC/SCMDA Oct9, 2009
  • “What do Satisfaction Surveys Tell Us about Quality of Care” SCMDA June 7, 2008
  • “Fall Prevention Strategies” South Carolina Medical Directors Association, June 2, 2007
  • “Advance Symptom Management: Pain & Dyspnea” Annual AMDA meeting, Hollywood FL, March 2007
  • “Effective Communication with Families and Nursing Home Staff” Annual AMDA meeting, Hollywood FL, March 2007
  • “Senior Summit Results: Action items for Legislators, Foundations, Communities, & Businesses” Senior Centers of Spartanburg, Chesnee, SC, October 9, 2006
  • “Palliative Care and Advanced Symptom Management” NC/SC AMDA Fall Meeting, Oct.7, 2006
  • “B12 Deficiency in the Absence of Anemia: A Common Problem”- Poster, AMDA Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA March 2005.
  • “Feeding Tubes in LTC” AMDA, NC & SC State Chapter Meetings, May 1 & 15, 2004
  • “The Physicians Role in Loss Prevention” Annual Meeting of the American Medical Director’s Association, March 19, 2005
  • “Meeting the Needs of the Non-Curable Resident” Greenville, SC, May 2004
  • “Medications, Dollars and Sense” Spartanburg, SC, May 2004
  • “Pain Management: Current Trends”. Clemson University, Nov 13, 2003; Piedmont District Nurses Association, Oct 22, 2003.
  • “Working with a State QIO”. Annual Fall Meeting of the Carolina State Chapters of AMDA, 2003.
  • “Working with Your Medical Director”. South Carolina Healthcare Association, Aug 2003.
  • “Pain Management in the Long-Term Care Setting,” Carolina Medical Review, March 20, 2003.
  • “Evaluation and Treatment of Dyspnea in the Terminally Ill Patient”. American Medical Directors 2002 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 22, 2002.
  • “Evaluation and Treatment of Dyspnea in the Terminally Ill Patient”. VistaCare Hospice, Third Annual National Medical Directors’ Meeting, Atlanta, GA, November 4, 2000.
  • “Intent in Practice”. VistaCare Hospice Eastern Region Medical Directors’ Meeting. Atlanta, GA 2000.
  • “Palliative Medicine”. Clemson University, March 1, 2001.
  • “Palliative Medicine”. South Carolina Medical Directors’ Association, Charleston, SC 2000.
  • “Hypertension”. Family Practice Residency Program, Washington, PA 1998.

What Sets Our Doctor Apart

  • Clear, Honest Health Talk: No medical jargon—just straightforward, relatable explanations.
  • Empathy Meets Experience: Over 40 years of real-world medical practice, told with heart.
  • Courage to Speak Out: Tackles tough topics and exposes flaws in the healthcare system.
  • Education with Personality: Combines expert insight with humor and storytelling to engage and empower.

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