Doctor Profile: Lauri A. Harsh, D.O., F.A.C.O.I.
Gastroenterologist Lauri Harsh has some pretty personal reasons for helping her patients.
« View the directory listing for Lauri Harsh, D.O.
The Mississippi Valley Health Network of practices brings together a comprehensive group of physicians who share common values of patient-focused care in partnership with the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center. In each issue, we’ll spotlight one of our network physicians who lives our mission to ensure patients have access to the best, most affordable and technologically advanced care in an outpatient setting – where we treat patients so they can fully recover and get back to their homes, families, and lives.
What inspired you to practice medicine?
Two very sick grandmothers with cancer when I was in the second and eighth grades.
Why gastroenterology (GI)?
I chose GI because of the variety. Not only am I in the office, but I’m also treating acutely ill patients in the hospital and performing procedures every day. Early in residency I noticed most GI patients would do what you tell them because they can feel their symptoms and want to get rid of them (bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn). It’s very different, from say, cardiology because with heart conditions, you often can’t feel high cholesterol or high blood pressure, so patients aren’t always willing to follow recommendations.
What’s your greatest worry in healthcare?
My greatest concern with healthcare right now is that many people do not seek out care because of the cost. This puts some people in grave danger, especially if they are having symptoms (rectal bleeding, weight loss, vomiting). I am seeing younger and younger patients with colon cancer who are screened too late (Stage IV) because of money issues. It’s a shame. Tell us about your family: Medicine runs in the family. I’m married to another doctor, Tom Ramstack, D.O. (ER), and have three daughters, Rylee, Tyler and Logan.
Where did you grow up?
I’m a local hometown girl, growing up in Eldridge, IA. What’s your favorite place on the planet? A beach. In the sun. Anywhere!
What worries you?
My children’s future and their education, job opportunities and how we are affecting the environment. What are you reading right now? I read a lot of biographies on famous people, for example, “The Diana Chronicles” (Princess Diana), “Brothers” (JFK and Bobby Kennedy), and Marilyn Monroe.
What do you do for fun?
I do crazy marathon runs with friends. We train all year over the Internet since none of us live in the same city to train/run together!!!
What advice do you wish patients would take more often and why?
When patients are faced with a medical condition, they often research the Internet to learn as much as they can. But I really counsel my patients to consider how the Internet information is being presented, which is, that the Internet gives you ALL the information about every single disease out there. The information does not pertain to each specific, individual patient and the patient’s particular symptoms. Patients shouldn’t worry about the “what ifs” but deal with the “what is” instead. We are really trying to do what’s best for the patients.
