Overlooking Lake Michigan, Highland Park, Illinois

November 13, 2024

Dear Patients,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am excited to share an update on my plans to return to medical practice in the new year, along with personal reflections and details on how I will manage your records moving forward.

Health Journey and Renewed Perspective

As many of you know, I was diagnosed with leukemia in the summer of 2019, which required me to take a prolonged medical leave of absence from my practice. I am pleased to report that I am now in remission and doing well.  Yesterday marked the 5th anniversary of my stem cell transplant, the life-saving procedure whereby a generous, unrelated 30-year-old donor from Europe gave me healthy regenerative cells from his bone marrow to engraft or repopulate my own.

This journey has been challenging and transformative, allowing me to experience the doctor-patient relationship from the other side. It has deepened my empathy for the difficulties individuals with serious illnesses face.  I am genuinely looking forward to bringing this renewed perspective to my work.  I am grateful to the numerous healthcare providers who have cared for me.

Plans to Resume Part-Time Practice

Starting after January 1, 2025, I plan to return to patient care part-time, though I have yet to determine any specific details. I will follow up with a second communication to share more about my schedule and any new locations where I will see patients. I will also make informal virtual visits available on a case-by-case basis.

Rather than reopening my practice, I will initially explore opportunities to join established practices where I can collaborate with colleagues. I anticipate offering services that include consultations, minimally invasive aesthetic procedures, skin cancer surgeries, and participation in select cosmetic surgeries.

As I resume practice, I want to make the transition seamless. I look forward to reconnecting with many of you. I will be happy to introduce you to trusted colleagues if, at any point, you need referrals or specialized care that may be better suited for continuity.

I am not planning on accepting new patients, but I will gladly make referrals.

Custodianship of Your Medical Records

As your designated custodian of records, I will continue to manage your Protected Health Information (PHI), including records from my former associate, Dr. Mark Krugman. I will shred files older than 7 years while initially retaining surgical records from procedures performed in my former ambulatory surgical facility.  For the many hundreds of you who had breast implants placed for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, I will retain a medical device logbook indefinitely until I can make a provision to give it to another surgeon or a health record custodian.   Should you need access to your medical records, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Personal Reflections

On a personal note, this past year has been filled with meaningful moments, including welcoming our fourth grandchild and preparing for our fifth.

In May 2023, my wife, our beloved Goldendoodle Rosie, and I drove to Chicago to visit my 98-year-old mother. I will always cherish that time, as my mother passed away peacefully later in the fall. Soon after, we also lost Rosie, who crossed the rainbow bridge. Thinking I could never endure the heartache of losing another ‘”best friend'” pet, we recently, on very short notice, rescued an energetic two-year-old tall brown Standard Poodle named Moose from Lake Elsinore. He has brought much joy to our family and found a place in our hearts. We are thrilled to have him with us.

Continuing Education

In addition to completing online continuing education courses in plastic surgery, I recently earned a Master’s degree in Legal Studies from Seton Hall Law School, focusing on pharmacologic and medical device law and compliance. This program has deepened my understanding of the medical-legal landscape, equipping me with valuable insights that I hope will benefit my patients as I return to practice. I also plan to offer Independent Medical Examinations (IME) and Plastic Surgery Expert Witness testimony.

A Heartfelt Thank You

I am sincerely grateful for the trust and support you have shown me throughout my career these last several years. Caring for you has been a privilege, and I am looking forward to this new chapter with renewed excitement and appreciation. Once I have more definite plans, I will happily schedule a consultation for those I have been in touch with over the past five years.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during my time away. Please look for a follow-up email, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.   More to follow…

Warm regards,

Donald I. Altman, M.D., M.B.A.

telephone: 949-727-3999

donaldaltmanmd@gmail.com

www.altmanmd.com