About Dr. Handtke Variety and relationships are what keep James A. Handtke, DO, engaged in his work. “I love the long-standing relationships I get to build with my patients,” he says. “I thought it was so cool when a doctor I rotated with in medical school told me they had been with a patient for the last 15 or 20 years.” Watching the sacrifices his dad made as a Family Practice physician, Dr. Handtke never thought he wanted to do that. He enjoyed high school classes like science, biology, human health and physiology, and thought he was headed toward being a surgeon. However, once he was in medical school, he realized he did not like being in the operating room and his interest in Family Medicine really kicked in. His undergraduate work was completed at Huntington University, Huntington, IN. He then earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Downers Grove, IL. Finally, he completed the Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency in South Bend. His approach to practicing medicine is to develop a partnership with patients. “I love to offer advice and brainstorm ways to help people be their healthiest possible selves,” he says. “Each person is unique and their needs and priorities are different – I love the challenge of individualizing people’s care.” Dr. Handtke wants his patients to know he cares for them deeply. He doesn’t see a patient number on a chart and he will always take an extra minute to hear what patients have to say and not rush them out the door. “I’m here to try my best to get them happy and healthy.” In his own words… What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  I worked at a Christmas tree farm early in high school. I thought it was cool because I got to trim trees with a machete all day. What is your favorite food? Movie?  Favorite foods: a really good al pastor taco    Favorite movie: Avengers: Infinity War, but really any Marvel movie with Iron Man in it. What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  Best subject: any science classes    Worst subject: physics was really hard If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  I would love to pick John Muir’s brain. He is an ecologist/naturalist from the late 1800s who played a huge role in establishing our national parks. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about?  Mountain biking and road biking are some of my favorite things. Beyond that, I love just about anything that gets me outside. If I have to be inside, I really like cooking and trying new foods. What is something most people don’t know about you?  I am a novice gardener and have almost no idea what I’m doing, but really like it. Share tips with me!