• Family Practice Physician:  Takes responsibility for the health and medical care of the entire family group, regardless of age or gender. Certain types of care, such as obstetrics and surgery, are limited.
• Internal Medicine Physician:  Specializes in comprehensive, non-surgical specialty care of adult men and women.
• Pediatrician:  Trained in the treatment of children in health and disease from birth through adolescence.

• Cardiologist: Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
• Dermatologist: Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair, and nail disorders.
• General Surgeon:  Diagnoses and treats problems of the abdomen, lungs, breast, and thyroid. Does hernia repairs and removal of various skin and soft tissue tumors.
• Gynecologist:  Addresses diseases of the female genital tract, and the endocrinology and reproductive physiology of women.
• Hematologist:  Specializes in the study and treatment of the blood and blood-forming tissues.
• Hospitalist (Hospital Medicine):  Serves as the physician-of-record for hospitalized patients as a specialist in inpatient care. Returns patient back to Primary Care Provider upon hospital discharge.
• Neurologist: Specializes in the treatment of the nervous system, including the the brain, spinal cord and all nerve tissue.
• Obstetrician:  Cares for women during pregnancy and childbirth. At CSHP, our physicians address obstetric and gynecological issues or gynecological issues only.
• Oncologist:  Studies and treats tumors and cancer.
• Ophthalmologist:  Treatment of the eye, its diseases and refractive errors including medical and/or surgical treatment of the eye.
• Orthopedic Surgeon:  Addresses preservation, restoration and development of form and function of the musculoskeletal system, spine and associated structures by medical, surgical and physical methods.
• Otolaryngologist:  (often referred to as an Ear, Nose, Throat Physician or ENT) Treats combined diseases of the ear and larynx, including the head and neck, tracheobronchial tree and esophagus.
• Podiatrist:  Specializes in diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the feet.
• Radiologist:  Professional discipline of medical imaging using radiation to identify and assist in treatment of disease. CSHP offers x-ray, ultrasound, mammogram and nuclear medicine technology.
• Rheumatologist: Specialize in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of various conditions with pain or other symptoms related to the joints or other elements of the musculoskeletal system.
• Urologist:  Specializes in diagnosis and treatment of problems involving the urinary tract in persons of all ages, both male and female. Includes medical and surgical care for problems of the male genital/reproductive system.

• Medical history and assessment, including ordering and interpreting tests
• Diagnosis and treatment of medical/psychological issues, including prescriptions
• Repair of lacerations, wound care, minor fractures
• Gynecological exams, including pap smears
• Delivery of certain technical procedures and therapies
• Carrying out minor surgical procedures
• Emergency case treatment including cardiac arrest, severe drug reactions, & uncomplicated deliveries
• School sports physicals and complete physical exams
• Emergency treatment of medical problems (in consultation with physicians)
• Patient education and counseling regarding medical conditions

Below is a brief description of the two professions to help you become more familiar with their role in your health care.

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced academic and clinical experience, many of whom have earned a masters degree. Nurse practitioners are health care professionals focusing on health maintenance, disease prevention, counseling and patient education in a wide variety of settings. One of the many important roles they can play in your health care is to provide immediate access for acute problems and manage chronic illnesses.

Nurse practitioners can work independently in their own offices or, as they do at CSHP, work in collaboration with physicians. Their role is to take the time to assess how your lifestyle affects your health, promoting disease prevention and early detection of illness.

Physician Assistants (PA) are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. They are trained to conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, manage chronic illness, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and write prescriptions. PA's are licensed by the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners and certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Physician Assistants are educated in intensive medical programs averaging 111 weeks of curriculum, compared with the typical medical school of 155 weeks. PA programs are designed to complement the work of physicians and most physician assistants will see many of the same types of patients as the physician they work with. They too, are available to provide immediate access for your acute health problems.

Ideally, you will have a long, mutually beneficial relationship with your physician, so selecting one is an important decision. Knowing that your doctor is qualified to provide the best care possible is equally important. Physicians who are board certificated in their area of specialty have taken additional steps to demonstrate they have the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to provide high quality care.

Board certification is not required in order to practice medicine, but most physicians take this voluntary step after completing their medical education and training. Board certifications are recognized throughout the world as an indicator of a standard, consistent level of training. 

Before a physician is eligible to take board examinations, they must meet requirements including:

• Completion of the required pre-doctoral and medical education
• Completion of required training in an accredited residency program
• Assessment and documentation of individual performance
• Unrestricted license to practice medicine

Physicians can be certified in one specific medical specialty (such as Internal Medicine), dual specialties (such as Internal Medicine and Pediatrics) or in sub-specialties related to specific areas of interest (such as Internal Medicine, subspecialty Sleep Medicine or Cardiology).  As medical knowledge continues to advance, new board certifications become available to physicians desiring additional training and expertise.

Two physicians at Colorado Springs Health Partners have dual certifications, and several have certifications in sub-specialty areas beyond their initial medical training. This information is listed on each physician’s page as a resource for you.

Take the time to choose your physician carefully so that the two of you are able to establish a longstanding partnership in maintaining your health.