Know Your Neighbor, Dr. Alan Coffino, Nephrologist/Chief of Medicine, Chappaqua
Dr. Alan Coffino didn’t follow a traditional path to becoming a physician.
For years, working as a researcher he had longed to go to medical school.
But personal insecurities and the possible fear of changing his entire life at a time when many people are starting to settle into their careers had contributed to the hesitancy to pursue his dream.
Coffino took one of his most important steps when he applied to and was later accepted to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he had worked as a post doctorate fellow.
Two weeks shy of his 39th birthday, Coffino began medical school, the second oldest student in his class. Although he had liked his work as a researcher in quantum chemistry, he realized that he might never be completely happy if he continued on the same career path.
“I love the idea that I can treat people, I love the dynamic of meeting someone, of getting to know them and it’s just something about nephrology that pushes my buttons,” Coffino said.
He discovered his love for the specialty during his fourth year of medical school. He found that with nephrology he would be able to take advantage of his expertise in chemistry as well as evaluating everything that goes on in a person’s body to properly treat patients. Coffino’s choice has made for a fulfilling life and profession.
“I take a lot of time explaining issues,” said Coffino, 60, who has been affiliated with Northern Westchester Hospital for the past 14 years. “I feel like I’m a holistic doctor in the sense that I’m not a one-organ doctor. When you come to me to talk about your kidneys, we’re going to talk about your heart, your lungs, everything. All of that comes together.”
Coffino is a bit of a rarity in today’s health care field. Of the roughly 700 doctors affiliated with Northern Westchester, he is one of less than 10 who isn’t part of a medical group. While that presents challenges, it also has its advantages. Coffino is able to provide the time to each patient in his private practice that doctors at many medical groups cannot afford to give. For example, when seeing a new patient, he budgets up to an hour; for their second visit he sets aside a half-hour.
It also is an approach that he has tried to emphasize in his role as chief of medicine at Northern Westchester. He took over the volunteer position last year, a role that he enjoys immensely.
“Really, a chief of medicine is a leadership role with one primary responsibility, which is to assist incoming patients’ stay in a hospital, both on a personal level and a medicine level,” said Coffino, who lives in Chappaqua with his wife, Deborah, and two children.
He also helps to arrange for conferences and education for the medical staff and to address any issues physicians may have, such as improving communication among doctors, between doctors and nurses or between doctors and patients.
Coffino started his journey in Roslyn, L.I. where he grew up. He went to American University in Washington, D.C. for two years before transferring to Reed College in Portland, Ore. to finish his undergraduate work. Coffino stayed in the Pacific Northwest for graduate school, where he attended the University of Washington. He would remain in Seattle for 11 years, beginning his research career once completing his studies.
Coffino returned to the New York area to work at Albert Einstein as a post doctorate fellow. His decision to apply to the medical college was made by the school’s willingness to accept older students, he said.
He handled the demanding studies well, but there were physical challenges to being 15 to 20 years older than most of the class.
“You find you’re not as strong as you were in your twenties,” Coffino said. “You’ve gained wisdom but you don’t memorize the way you did as a younger person.”
When he was approached to become chief of medicine, he jumped at the opportunity. He credited hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marla Koroly and the staff for helping bring top-notch care to patients. In April, Northern Westchester was named the only five-star hospital in New York State for patient satisfaction, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Although Coffino’s at an age where some people are looking to wind down their career, he feel he’s just beginning to hit his stride. He said he’s got plenty of energy left for the long haul.
“I feel really good about where I am,” Coffino said.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
