As a surgeon at Reliant Medical Group, Dr. Michael Potter realizes the importance of trust in the doctor-patient relationship. “When people come to you for an operation, the first thing you have to do is gain their trust,” he explains. “Patients have to believe in you and have a certain level of trust in your abilities before you can operate on them – I think that’s really essential in surgery.”

A graduate of Harvard University and UMass Medical School, Dr. Potter enjoys the ability to perform different types of surgery in his practice at Reliant Medical Group. “We do a wide range of surgery here, from general surgical procedures to laparoscopy and bariatric surgery. Offering such a wide range of procedures allows us to take care of virtually every patient need.”

Working at Reliant Medical Group, Dr. Potter enjoys learning about and utilizing the latest surgical techniques and advancements. “One of the things I like most about surgery is that the technology is always moving forward. For instance, laparoscopy has really changed the way we do certain procedures and allowed patients to enjoy a much faster recovery time by utilizing a smaller incision. Robotic surgery is also going to play a big role in the future, giving surgeons greater maneuverability and more precise control.”

As a surgeon, Dr. Potter is well aware of the many changes taking place in medicine. “Medicine is constantly evolving. Doctors are always examining new treatments and techniques to determine the best course of action. There’s no doubt as physicians we have a greater body of knowledge to draw upon than ever before. It has made decision-making more complicated for doctors, but patients have really benefited.”

When he’s not busy with his surgical practice, Dr. Potter likes to spend time with his wife and children. He has enjoyed the outdoors ever since he was a child and loves to go fly-fishing and cross-country skiing. “Being a surgeon keeps me very busy, but I think it’s important to try to find time for the other things in life I enjoy.”