Sam Evans, MD is a pulmonologist at Sturdy Health Pulmonary Medicine in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. Dr. Evans became interested in his field of medicine when he was a resident working in the intensive care unit. The impact of caring for critically ill patients, and supporting their families, combined with precision medicine with close interpersonal relationships, was very influential to him. He found that the pulmonary and critical care faculty at Brown, where he trained, were smart, hardworking, yet compassionate and agreeable professionals. Dr. Evans saw himself following in the footsteps of his mentors and practicing the kind of medicine they practiced — being the kind of physician they were: smart, kind, able, humble, and real.
Over the last five years, Dr. Evans got to know his patients and their families on and around Aquidneck Island, in Rhode Island. He has seen his patients at their best and at their worst and he finds it rewarding when patients tell him that they trust him to get them through difficult medical problems. When a patient and a family member have sighed a breath of relief — even if the news isn't positive — because they know they have a competent and compassionate physician by their side is very gratifying for him. Being trusted and appreciated for his role as an honest professional (he keeps all his patients' thank you notes and holiday cards!) in a complex area of medicine is the best reward he can imagine.
Dr. Evans believes that patients are so much more than their medical problems and diagnoses. Each patient has a story to tell. Getting familiar with the person behind the patient (and often the family supporting the patient) is key to understanding the symptom and making the correct diagnosis. He employs active listening, a lot of education, motivational interviewing, and a range of other approaches to establishing a patient-doctor relationship based on respect, honesty, and compassion.
At an appointment with Dr. Evans, patients can expect a physician who listens to their needs. He will hear the words they are saying and try to explore the words they are not sure how to say. Family members are encouraged to ask questions and share observations — a clearer picture usually results and concerns are better addressed. Patients can expect to gain a better understanding of the condition they have and how he is thinking about it — even when there is uncertainty. Patients can also expect an honest impression of their case, whether the news is good or bad, delivered in a comprehensive yet compassionate manner. His patients can expect to receive outstanding care — whether their problem is managed locally or they need high end sub-specialist referrals, patients can expect to receive excellent and comprehensive care.
Dr. Evans has two children that keep him and his wife plenty busy when they're not at work. He enjoys cooking meals — big and small, simple and elaborate. He is active with his local YMCA branch council and in Rhode Island state government working to keep kids and adults safe from tobacco. He is an amateur guitar and banjo player, and enjoys jogging, racket sports, scuba diving, and traveling.
