Phone number for Reliant Medical Group: (800) 283-2556

A practicing internist for over 20 years, Dr. Kathleen O’Grady has seen a lot of changes in medicine during her career. “Some of the changes have been really dramatic. Diagnostic technology, for instance, is so much more sophisticated. We didn’t have CAT scans when I first started and now they are commonplace. Even the medications I prescribe have completely changed. Things are certainly better for the patient, but much more complicated for physicians.”

As an internist, Dr. O’Grady spends a lot of time dealing with chronic conditions including diabetes and hypertension. “Those are the two biggest problems I see facing many of my patients,” she explains. “I do a lot of work with patients, helping them control blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to strokes, vascular complications with diabetes and other problems. That’s why we internists are always talking to patients about the dangers of hypertension.”

Dr. O’Grady has worked all over the country as a physician, including Chicago, Western Massachusetts, and in Washington state. She once even worked with a blind doctor. “He really changed how I looked at medicine, he was truly an amazing man. He would care for 25-30 patients a day even though he was 87 years old. Patients just loved him, he was just unforgettable in his approach to care – the way he analyzed things.”

After practicing in Washington state, Dr. O’Grady returned to Massachusetts to work at Reliant Medical Group. “I worked with a doctor here previously who was moving from internal medicine to geriatrics and he asked me if I was interested in coming back. I saw it as a great opportunity.”

Dr. O’Grady truly enjoys the practice of internal medicine. “I have always liked taking care of my patients and solving problems. That’s what makes this job so interesting. Plus I really enjoy establishing relationships with my patients. For me, the relationship with the patient is the key to good care.” She explains, “I once had a patient with diabetes who really needed to make some lifestyle changes but he wouldn’t give up his coffee and donuts. Finally, I was able to make some headway with him. I told him he would really feel better if he took better care of himself and got his blood sugar levels to within guidelines. He did, and we were both ecstatic – it was very rewarding to have such an impact.”

Away from her patients, Dr. O’Grady also keeps very busy. She has three children who play school sports and she loves cheering them on from the sidelines. She is also an avid reader and belongs to a book club. She was once an avid gardener but hasn’t had much time to pursue it lately. “I think when my kids are grown I’ll be able to get back into gardening – as long as my knees haven’t given out by then!”