This post kicks off a new series on our blog. We’re calling it the Total Health Questionnaire, and we’re asking all sorts of people to complete it. It’s a shameless borrowing of a concept from Marcel Proust and Vanity Fair, except we’ve changed the questions to make them more about total health.
Is there someone you’d like us to feature in this series? Nominate them! Send us a message here with your suggestion.
Keith Montgomery is the Executive Director of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health.
Q: In a few words, what does Total Health mean to you?
A: A broader focus on your health than just the care you receive at a medical center or through a provider. Total health is addressing all the factors that influence your health and state of being. Most important, its realizing that each person is different and offering the right integrated health care resources
Q: What’s your first health-related memory?
A: I spent a lot of my childhood in a hospital, and I remember them as sterile, boring environments. It’s exciting to see new designs for hospitals and medical centers including more home-like details.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Curry. Anything curry.
Q: What do you most value in your work? What inspires you to continue?
A: The rapid change taking place today. Health care outcomes won’t change until each person takes more responsibility for their own health. I think wearable devices and smart clothing will help more people think about what they can do every day to be more proactive about their own health.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most underrated way to improve health for individuals?
A: They say you are what you eat. No amount of exercise can make up for the unhealthy choices we make when eating.
Q: Where do/would you most like to travel?
A: Chicago feels like home away from home. I’ve been traveling there since my first business trip ever, and it just feel like I grew up there. The summer months are amazing – whether walking or biking along the lake or attending a Cubs game.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
A: I once organized an end-of-life care summit for the largest African-American churches in Chicago. The event culminated with gospel choirs from all the churches entertaining at closing celebration. Simply an amazing experience.
Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would you pick?
A: Albert Einstein – pure genius. What was he like when not focused on work?
Robin Williams – if laughter is the best medicine, I’d be the healthiest person around.
Dolly Parton – Who doesn’t love Dolly? From rags to riches. Both a singer and actress. Dinner at her house would be good old southern hospitality. Yes, I listen to country music.