Your Partner in Health
February 01, 2017
|
Eric Chow, MD, FACP
Internal Medicine
|
Seeing a doctor when you don’t feel well is important. As an internal medicine physician with HRMC Physicians Clinic, Dr. Eric Chow specializes in treating all kinds of illnesses – but his focus is on keeping you healthy and preventing sickness in the first place!
He is board-certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics but will focus on all aspects of general adult care. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Chow to Huron Regional Medical Center's medical staff and the Huron community.
Q: Why did you decide to become a physician?
Dr. Chow: While in college, I was trying to find a major, and it was a tough choice. I enjoyed computers and I thought about pharmacy; but in the end, medicine was one of those special professions where you could go out and help people. Science grows at exponential rates, and you can never be a master of it. Not only is science a true art, but you also have to take into perspective interpersonal relationships and nonverbal cues of patients. It is an astonishing field that had everything going for it.
Q: Why did you choose both internal medicine and pediatrics?
Dr. Chow: I had a lot of strong mentors and professors in medical school. Internists and pediatricians are considered to be some of the top doctors. Each discipline takes three years of education; however with my program, I had to learn everything in four years. I wanted to keep my options open about who I could treat, and I also wanted to be able to help people from their first breath to their last.
Q: You are originally from Hawaii. Tell us about your schooling.
Dr. Chow: I spent all of my time in Hawaii for undergraduate studies. I completed medical school and residency training at the University of California in San Diego.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your wife.
Dr. Chow: My wife has been very supportive. Every time I consider moving for work or training, she is supportive of my decision, even though she would love to be in California with her parents! My wife is originally from Indonesia but has lived most of her life in California.
Q: Where were you working before you moved to Huron to practice at HRMC Physicians Clinic?
Dr. Chow: I joined a large health maintenance organization and practiced with them for three years. It was mostly in a clinic setting. It was great and I learned a lot, but recently I realized I was ready to learn more and to experience more of the hospital again while still remaining in a clinic setting. There are so many opportunities to learn skills here in Huron compared to a larger city.
Q: What are some of the factors that led you to make a change and move to Huron?
Dr. Chow: I was frustrated with the big city life and felt like it was time to move on. I just wanted a different pace of life. I didn’t want to battle traffic and I wanted my children to be able to feel safe. I saw an advertisement in a medical journal for Huron Regional Medical Center. I called and talked to the recruiter and came out to Huron to interview and really liked it! My wife was able to come out with me and also agreed she liked the community.
Q: What was it like experiencing your first week of a South Dakota winter?
Dr. Chow: It was very cold! Every time I got out, I must have looked ridiculous with the layers I had on. I think in the last few weeks, we have grown accustomed to the weather. Now I understand why people here think 30 degrees or 40 degrees is warm!
Dr. Chow is now seeing patients in the clinic. To schedule an appointment, call the HRMC Physicians Clinic at (605) 353-7660. For more information about Dr. Chow, view his profile.
Back to News Listing | Subscribe to News Alerts | Back to Blogs
