About Dr. Hazrati: I wanted to be a pilot, an architect, and a sculptor. But my mother, a dentist, said, "You could be a good doctor: you are patient and you have manual dexterity." She introduced me to a cardio-thoracic surgeon friend, who invited me to view a cardiac bypass surgery. I was twelve years old. I put on a mask and entered the operating room, walked to the head of the operating table - careful not to touch anything. I stood on a step and held my breath. Our friend had the patient's heart in his hands. He explained the procedure and the anatomy while the heart was beating. What a miracle! Could I help someone in that way someday? Maybe my mother was on to something. I entered medical school an idealist; I would be the new Dr. Marcus Welby and "Bones" to Captain Kirk. These ideals were firmly in place until my first clinical rotation in medical school - orthopaedic surgery. We worked very hard, 4 AM start times to late night surgeries, but I felt the same breathless thrill as my first day in the operating room. We relieved suffering in a very tangible and rewarding way. My teachers encouraged me to participate in surgery and taught me the basics of treating fractures, creating casts, and the science on which orthopaedics was founded. After completing my training in New York, I returned home to California to practice. My parents had been Kaiser Permanente members and had received quality care. I had spoken to their doctors on occasion and found them to be expert and engaging. The hospitals were clean and the staff impressive. So when it came time to look for a position, I naturally gravitated to Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser Permanente doctors delivered my children and take care of my family. I wouldn't have it any other way. Most importantly, I have the freedom to practice medicine without the constraints of running a business. Therefore, I never feel compelled to operate on anyone who might not need surgery. Kaiser Permanente's emphasis on preventive care is in line with my "Marcus Welby, M.D." background. I love the idea that as an organization we are committed to help people reduce their blood pressure, quit smoking, exercise, and lose weight. It just makes sense. I also believe in empowering people to take an active role in their healing by teaching them about their illness. Personal Interests My favorite activities outside of work these days are spending time with my family, and singing. My son and I play "the concert game" when the baby goes to sleep. This involves singing and making music in front of the video camera. Unfortunately, my colleagues in the operating room do not appreciate my singing as much as my children do, but it ensures that we have a working CD player in the operating room.