Physician Profile:
Dr. Robert Suykerbuyk, M.D. of CPC-North Augusta
Rob Suykerbuyk’s life is
full of spontaneity and adventure, of impromptu decisions and persistent
dedication. From the Army to graduate school to medicine and back to the
military again, the path he has taken to CPC-North Augusta at the North
Augusta Health Center is a testament to his both enthusiastic personality
and committed character.
Born in the small town of Fremont, Michigan, Rob spent most of his childhood
in Kentucky, returning to Michigan in time for high school. After
graduation, he enlisted in the Army, a decision that was influenced in part
by his grandfather’s experience as a soldier in France during World War II.
Growing up, Rob and his brothers John and Rich were enthralled by their
grandfather’s adventurous tales of military life and living abroad. When the
time came, they all chose to serve but each in his own way: Rob chose the
Army, John the Air Force, and Rich the Navy.
Rob had his own reasons for enlisting as well. He was determined to earn a
college education, the first in his family to do so, and the Army would pay
his way in exchange for his service. Barely a month after finishing high
school, Rob was on his way to basic training camp, hoping that through the
Army, he would be able to pursue his interest in computer technology.
Graduating at the top of his Army basic training and technical schools, Rob
spent his first two years in the military as a tactical communications
repairman, working at bases in both the United States and Germany. “I walked
away from that military experience with the reward of determination,” he
says. “I learned that if you set your mind to something, you can accomplish
it.”
When his service requirement was up, Rob left with tuition money in hand and
entered business school. Disappointed to find his accounting classes
uninspiring, he transferred to a small Michigan community college with plans
to become a math and science teacher. Unexpectedly, the required anatomy and
physiology courses sparked his interest in the field of science and
medicine, leading him to Ferris State University, where he won an academic
scholarship to study genetics and biotechnology.
Rob set out to learn as much as he could about the field of medicine during
his time at Ferris State. Asking physicians about their career choice
elicited stories of frustration over the business aspect of medicine
interfering with the practice of their healing art. On the other hand was
Rob’s memory of his hometown physician - the quintessential community doctor
whom everyone knew, liked, and trusted. When he weighed the evidence for and
against a career in medicine – professional advice, personal impressions,
and his own experiences with the healthcare system during the births of his
children, Michael and Jennifer - Rob knew what he needed to do.
“In typical fashion,” he jokes, “I didn’t listen to anybody. I woke up one
Sunday and thought, ‘I like this so much that maybe I should make it my
vocation.’” Rob’s focus and dedication nurtured this thought to fruition. In
less than 9 months, he took the medical school entrance exam, applied, was
interviewed and accepted, and began classes at Michigan State University
School of Medicine. During this hectic time he also applied for and won the
Army’s Health Professional Scholarship, which paid for his medical education
in full.
Medical school provided the ideal application for Rob’s discipline to work.
Michigan State’s curriculum called for a year of near-independent study, for
which a textbook and weekly Q&A were the only resources provided. While many
students found this methodology challenging, Rob’s military service had
prepared him to succeed. “You really have to be disciplined to survive that
curriculum,” Rob states. He also recognized the future application of this
type of educational structure. “It set a precedent for what I do in my
practice now: education and reeducation and keeping up with new material.”
Clinical rotations provider Rob with another test: choosing a specialty. He
had entered medical school with plans of becoming a family physician but,
with each specialty rotation he experienced, the choice became more
difficult, as each specialty was interesting and challenging. After
seriously considering several options (surgery, internal medicine and
critical care, obstetrics), “I went full circle and returned to family
practice,” he said. “Family practice is the only choice that would allow me
to incorporate all the other specialties into my patient care.”
After
graduation, Dr. Suykerbuyk moved to Augusta to begin his family practice
residency at Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, where he would
complete his commitment to the Army in return for his medical education. It
was at Eisenhower that Rob met Danielle Sanford. They were both medical
residents, he in family practice and she in child psychiatry, but despite
their demanding schedules, they made time for each other. After a 1- month
courtship in 1998, they flew to Hawaii and were married on a beach in Maui.
Immediately after completing his residency in June 2000, Dr. Suykerbuyk was
deployed overseas to Hungary to a starkly different working environment.
Contrasted with the monitored, academic atmosphere of Eisenhower, he was now
a senior medical officer in the region, requiring him to function much more
independently. “The transition helped plant my feet on the ground
medically,” he said. “I started feeling more comfortable effectively
triaging and simply practicing medicine on my own.”
After seven months abroad, Rob retuned to the United States where he joined
the teaching staff at Eisenhower. Over the next three years, he was active
in teaching future family physicians, was deployed to Europe in support of
the Global War on Terrorism, and led several clinical research studies. He
began to branch out in his medical experience by also working part-time in
Louisville and Madison’s emergency rooms as well as providing weekend
cross-coverage at CPC.
By this time, he was nearing the end of his duty to the Army and was looking
to settle down. After meeting some of the physicians and staff at CPC, he
knew he had found the right place. “CPC’s clinical model is how I had always
pictured myself practicing medicine,” he explains. “The administrative staff
covers the business aspects that physicians find so frustrating, allowing me
to practice medicine the way I had intended. CPC has momentum and energy. It
is growing, focused, and directed.”
Of all the aspects of practicing medicine, including the application of
technology to family healthcare, Rob’s favorite is interacting with
patients. “I enjoy working with people, meeting with people, talking to
people.” He also incorporates his fondness for teaching to his practice,
educating his patients about healthy choices and disease prevention and
management.
Rob and Danielle are equally adventurous and fond of vacationing around the
world, especially Costa Rica, one of their favorite destinations. Right now,
however, their attention is focused on an adventure of a different type.
They are expecting their first child in January, and it’s likely their love
for travel will be a distant second to the new arrival.
Dr. Robert Suykerbuyk brings unparalleled experience and a lively and
dynamic element to the Center for Primary Care and is a welcomed addition to
CPC’s medical staff and the North Augusta community he is serving. To make
an appointment with Dr. Suykerbuyk, call CPC-North Augusta at the North
Augusta Health Center, 279-6800.
