Doctor Shannon Schrader is a board-certified family physician who has been practicing medicine for over 30 years. Originally from Kentucky, he attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate degree and the University of Louisville School of Medicine to complete his medical education. His internship and residency brought him to Houston, where he completed his training at Baylor College of Medicine. He was honored to be chosen to serve as Chief Resident during the last year of his training.
Dr. Schrader chose Family Practice as his specialty because of the memories of his own family physician while growing up in Kentucky. The primary care physicians, at that time, made house calls, knew the whole family, and treated every aspect of the patient. The physician became a family friend.
Dr. Schrader, during his training, quickly learned that the spectrum of Family Medicine training encompassed treating the “whole” patient and not just the chief physical complaint. With the continuity of care and relationships that primary care allows, the presenting physical complaint is often just a reason to get through the door. More often than not, there may be other underlying issues that relate to the medical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of the patient. If any component of the “whole” person is not in sync, then the delicate balance within a person can exist as chaos.
Furthermore, the physical symptom is often just a reflection of the emotional aspect of a person as it relates to present or past trauma and family of origin issues. Developing a sixth sense when treating patients and being cognizant of body language and eye contact are some important parts of the skill set that Dr. Schrader uses to assess his patients. In addition, Dr. Schrader states that the empathetic ear helps lead to trust between the patient and the physician. Sir William Osler is noted to have professed, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease. The great physician understands the patient and the context of that patient’s illness.”
Other interests of Dr. Schrader include infectious disease and treating the underserved. In addition to his private medical practice, Doctor Schrader serves as Medical Director for a federally qualified health clinic in Beaumont, Texas, and often states that his own emotional tank is replenished after visits with the clinic’s patients.
Dr. Schrader’s rule of thumb in the exam room is to break down any barrier or anxiety that one may feel while visiting a physician, and he often attempts to promote laughter as part of the healing process. He often ends the visit with a hug!
In his spare time, one will find Dr. Schrader reading an “edgy” novel, eating popcorn while enjoying a movie, or traveling to his home on the coast of Maine. He also says that his faith is his driving force from within that carries him through each day. Dr. Schrader considers his faith the seat belt that holds him steady when life can present itself as a bumpy ride!
Dr. Schrader is excited to be part of the J. Flowers Health Institute team to help promote wellness and healing.
