ARIZONA

GILBERT
Cynthia G. Jordon, MD, General Practitioner
        Gilbert Primary Care
        1501 North Gilbert Road
        Suite 130
        Gilbert, AZ  85234
        480-503-5454
        Even though I weigh over 300 pounds, Dr. Jordon has never
        mentioned my weight while treating me for my various problems.
        She is a great listener, explains everything in terms that you
        and I can understand and attempts to treat the person as a whole
        instead of just concentrating on one aspect. Just to give an
        example -- when she spoke with me about changing my diabetic
        medicine, she explained that this would help my blood sugar
        levels, but may add a few pounds in the process.  She asked if
        this was a concern for me.  When I expressed that I was willing
        to deal with these extra few pounds -- she was very supportive 
        of this.  Most doctors I've had would have jumped on the "You
        ought to be losing weight anyway" bandwagon. In 38 years I've
        never found another doctor as kind and supportive as she is.

GLENDALE
West Olive Family Medicine Center
	6151 W. Olive Ste 5
	Glendale AZ 85302
	602-939-8618
	Both of the physicians (Drs. Linda Brown and Anne Gilbertson)
	and all of the nurses, assistants and staff have always been fat
	friendly. The waiting room has mostly couches and a few chairs
	without arms. All of the examining rooms have the large blood
	pressure cuffs.  The examining gowns are very roomy so that most
	people under 400 lbs should be able to get them closed. I don't
	object to being weighed, so I have never asked them to not weigh
	me. I don't think they would have a problem with it. My weight
	has never been an issue with my doctor. She's never brought it
	up; even when discussing an problem that many doctors would
	consider "weight related" she discussed it in terms of nutrition
	and exercise, rather than pounds or amount of fat on my body.
	NOV 99: There have been changes in some of the staff. Although
	the physicians' behavior towards patients is still fat friendly,
	they have redecorated the waiting room, and all the chairs have
	arms -- and they are narrow chairs! In addition, they no longer
	have the roomy gowns. I wear a size 18/20 and was unable to
	close the examination gown!

PHOENIX
David Arneson, NMD (Naturopathic Physician)
	PHOENIX OFFICE
	550 W. Indian School Road, Ste. 122
	Phoenix, Arizona 85013
	phone 602-234-1158
	fax 602-234-9691
	SCOTTSDALE OFFICE 
	10405 N Scottsdale RD, Suite 5
	Scottsdale, AZ
	480-596-3576
	docdave2003@msn.com
	Self-referred.
	SELF-REFERRAL:
	While I'm not overweight, I treat many patients who are. I also
	treat a number of patients that have ongoing chronic health
	problems due to gastric by-pass surgery. For the life of me I
	cannot understand how eliminating the stomach and the initial 2
	feet of small bowel can be covered under "first do no harm"...It
	is well known that this surgery (using their statistics) only
	adds 3 years of life to the average patient...As I write this
	one of my patients is headed back into surgery to correct a
	bowel obstruction and is so malnourished I pray she survives the
	surgery. 
	PATIENT RECOMMENDATION:
	I e-mailed Dr. Dave after reading his entry on this list.  He
	responded with a phone call the next day.  I was quite direct
	about my needs and my desire to not be pressured to lose weight.
	He has been respectful of this (though he does do weight loss
	counseling and treatments). I have never been asked to weigh. I
	have never been told that whatever health problems I'm dealing
	with were a "result" or "caused" by my weight.  I have been
	encouraged to exercise and eat well without regard to weight
	loss. He and his colleagues accept that fat people can obtain
	good health. 
	       I have been receiving acupuncture treatments from
	his associate, Dr. Chad Goetz.  I have never had a more caring
	health care professional.  He seems to genuinely care about my
	health and well being and I count him as a friend.  I suffer
	from a chronic illness, so having a health care provider who is
	this competent and kind has made my life incredibly easier. 
	       A lot of people do not realize that a Naturopathic
	physician can prescribe medications, order medical tests, and
	make referrals in Arizona pretty much the same way a 
	regular physician can.  
	       I head right into the treatment room when I arrive. (They
	don't overbook the way many MDs do). 
	       I mentioned (okay, nagged) the lack of fat-friendly
       chairs several times. Upon moving into their new Scottsdale
       branch, they took the arms off of chairs in the waiting room!

SCOTTSDALE
David Arneson, NMD (Naturopathic Physician)
	10405 N Scottsdale RD, Suite 5
	Scottsdale, AZ
	480-596-3576
	Self-referred and patient referred. See main entry under Phoenix. Office has armless chairs.