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Being able to spend more quality time with each patient can often feel like an elusive wish, but for internist Felix Caldwell, MD, medical director of LIFESIGNS Memphis, it's the highlight of his job. In a comfortable space with a lobby that looks like a cozy living room, patients won't expect a long wait. They appreciate the extra time they can spend with their doctor. Caldwell said he always knew he wanted to be a doctor because, "At a very young age I was fascinated with the workings of the human mind and body, and really medicine was the only career I ever considered pursuing."

After 13 years in the department of internal medicine at University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and five years in private practice, Caldwell is enjoying a change of pace. He's been an instructor, a fellow, served in the Navy, and has a lot of experience with the hustle and bustle of running a busy family practice. Now at LIFESIGNS for two and a half years, a comprehensive physical examination center, Caldwell is happy to breathe a sigh of relief.

"I really enjoy not being in a rush," he said. "I used to say I was going to get a tattoo on my forehead that said, 'I'm sorry I'm late.' In a practice you're always perpetually behind, but here you don't have that problem."

With a manageable patient load of 25, Caldwell is able to take more time with individual patients.

"I think it's a lot more intimate and less shoving people through the system," he added. "You have time to sit down with them and answer most, if not all, the questions they may have. People really enjoy it. In fact, they want this to be where they get their regular care."

Caldwell has a loyal following of patients, many of whom followed him from his previous primary care practice to LIFESIGNS. LIFESIGNS is different from a primary care office. Patients are evaluated with a variety of physical exams, onsite screening, including BMI, weight and body fat, and physician-directed wellness coaching. All patients are offered educational materials on a variety of diseases and prevention strategies. Caldwell likes to work with patients to develop individualized wellness programs that help people reach realistic goals. LIFESIGNS currently has five operating clinics in Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, and Las Vegas.

Explained Caldwell, "The whole goal is to be able to, in one place, provide a physical exam, onsite testing for all the screenings a patient needs, and the physician goes over the tests on a one-on-one. Most of the tests we can go over the day they are given."

Patients are given a comprehensive look at the state of their health, their specific risks and how to prevent or deal with health issues. In the current state of American healthcare, the burden of disease caused by obesity is immense. Preventing illness is the keystone to longevity. In a time when healthcare is at a critical crossroads, Caldwell wants to be a part of the movement toward a focus on healthy living to prevent disease.

LIFESIGNS also brings patients into the information age, by providing them with portable medical information on a CD which makes things simpler for other providers. In an effort to inspire healthier living on a larger scale, service extends beyond the clinic into the business world through corporate clients. Caldwell and staff attend company health fairs, typically on a monthly basis, to conduct screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, while companies send employees into the office for annual exams. Often these company visits, maintained Caldwell, is where pre-diseases are caught.

LIFESIGNS Memphis works with a variety of businesses, including Nucor Steel and the gaming companies in Tunica. Some companies are more proactive than others, Caldwell said, but the important thing is they are working to keep their employees healthy. After all, millions of work dollars are lost every year due to obesity-related illnesses.

"It promotes LIFESIGNS and promotes healthy living," said Caldwell. "The companies can get feedback on the state of their employees' health and what their risks are."

In addition to his practice, Caldwell continues to teach first and second year medical students at UT, which he's done for 20 years. He has participated in numerous studies at UT regarding the treatment of hypertension and prevention of heart attack and stroke, as well as a long-term trial of exercise and prevention of heart disease and stroke.

Volunteering at the Church Health Center is another fulfilling role Caldwell has played the past 11 years. He said he enjoys providing care to people who can't otherwise receive it, and he thinks he'll continue to volunteer there after he retires.

The rapport he's built with patients throughout the community is evidenced by his selection as one of "The Best Doctors in Memphis," by Memphis Magazine, six consecutive times. While he appreciates the mention, he's quite modest about it. Many of his patients he's known 10 or 15 years, something that is very rewarding, he noted.

"It's like having a friend. I think I do a good job at what I do and it makes me feel satisfied. That's what I enjoy most, helping somebody solve their problem or get the help they need."

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Felix Caldwell, LIFESIGNS Memphis

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