Graduate School: (Master S Degree in Nutrition)

JAMES SCHEER, D.O., M.S.

Graduate School: (Master’s Degree in Nutrition) Pennsylvania State University State College, PA

Medical School: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Athens, OH

Residency: East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN

Board Certified: American Board of Family Medicine

Q. How have you incorporated nutrition in to your medical practice?

A. I feel that addressing lifestyle issues such as diet, fitness and stress management has the potential to minimize health risks in my patients. Also, at least 50 percent of patients take nutrition and herbal supplements on a regular basis. I find it important to counsel patients on the safest and most evidenced-based choices to fit their individual needs.

Q. Why did you decide to study Osteopathic Medicine and become a D.O.?

A. Osteopathic medical school provided me a solid foundation in traditional medical diagnosis and treatment. But, it also emphasized a whole person approach, with additional training on using my hands to assess and treat structural problems, emphasizing spine and joint issues. This affords me extra tools to use in helping restore a patient back to health.

Q. Where did you practice before coming to NorthEast?

A. After residency at East Tennessee State University, I moved to Charleston, SC and practiced initially in an occupational and environmental medicine clinic for 2 years. This practice emphasized Integrative Medicine strategies that formed a foundation for my philosophy that I adhere to today. For the last 8 years, I have been Medical Director of a multidisciplinary practice, where I have rotated among four clinics. This position allowed me the opportunity to hone my osteopathic skills, incorporate more Integrative Medicine techniques into my practice, and direct a multidisciplinary team. Q. How do you spend your free time?

A. I have a wife, Dara, a nurse/massage therapist, who is a full-time mom to our son Connor, a preschooler. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, church activities, running, swimming and cycling. I have played percussion instruments since I was 9 years old; most recently I have learned to play the African drum - the Djembe.

Q. What experiences in life have helped you become the kind of physician you are?

A. I was raised the youngest of 3 children in Burlington, Vermont primarily by my mother, a dental hygienist. Her mother passed away at age 39 from colon cancer, so I never had the chance to meet her. I sustained a severe low back injury playing high school football at age 15 and was told I would never play sports again. With the help of my grandfather’s best friend, Uncle Harry - a D.O., along with prayer and persistence I became state champion in the mile run 2 years later, my senior year in high school. Between my first and second years in college, I helped build my parent’s log home in Western Massachusetts. During the summer following college graduation I sold books door to door in Pasadena, Texas. In graduate school, I published results of my Master’s Thesis, which addressed iron deficiency anemia in relation to growth and fatness among children and adolescents. After graduate school, I worked in public health for 4 years for the State of Tennessee as a nutrition consultant. I then worked for a major medical center in Nashville, TN as a nutritionist for a health promotion program, which included a hospital fitness center, cardiac rehab unit and a health evaluation center. I actually taught healthy cooking courses! I applied to medical school in my thirties after realizing that I could help fill a void in physicians who can discuss Integrative and Preventive Medicine strategies with their patients.

Favorites:

Food: Seafood, Pasta, (and since my son is Gluten Intolerant) Tasty Gluten-Free alternatives

Movie:Chariots of Fire

Book: Anatomy of an Illness (Cousins), Spiritual/Religious, John Grisham thrillers

Song: Most everything, but "Smooth Jazz" is my favorite!