Alumni Spotlight - Arthur Frazzano

Residency Class of 1979

Why did you enter medicine?

Originally, I wanted to be a bioengineer and work in the space program. In college, I was grouped with pre-med students and followed them to a local city hospital to spend time in an OB unit. The excitement was intoxicating, and by my junior year, I had changed my career goal to medicine.

What led you to family medicine?

After medical school, I had no idea what I wanted to specialize in, so I chose family medicine to get a taste of everything.

What attracted you to the Brown Family Medicine Residency?

It was the first year of an Ivy League residency program at a medical school. What an opportunity to get in on the ground floor and shape the program to fit my eclectic needs.

When did you start your residency?

July 1, 1975.

What was the most extraordinary part of your training experience in the Brown Family Medicine Residency?

We were six first-year residents without any senior family medicine residents, essentially running the medical services. It was scary at first, but what an incredible way to build confidence.

Who were your mentors in residency?

“ Dr. Jack Cunningham, who brought his private practice into the residency. Dr. David Greer, who was our first chair and later became Dean of Brown Medical School. Dr. Tom Scaramella, who allowed me to complete two years of psychiatry as part of what became a four-year family medicine residency for me. Dr. Azeem Khan, who ran the ICU/CCU and was both a good friend and a mentor. ”

What is something you learned as a resident that you have regularly gone back to throughout your career?

I learned to listen closely to what patients say—not just hear the words. This has served me well in all aspects of life.

What advice do you have for current residents?

Learn to be a team player.

What do you do now?

I am retired and drive my oncologist crazy with side effects from every medication. I wish I could spend more time with my four grandsons in California, Colorado, and Virginia.

What is/was your favorite thing about being a family doctor?

Patient contact. I always enjoyed being a medical guide for people on their journey through life. Watching kids grow and blossom was a particular pleasure.

What are you most proud of in your career?

There are so many meaningful moments from my career in Rhode Island and at Brown. I never thought of it as pride in achievement but rather as the fulfillment of a promise.

Is there a particular story or moment as part of your residency that you will always remember?

There are dozens of stories! One I will always remember is when Jack Cunningham walked into an exam room with a screaming toddler, a frazzled mother, and a stressed resident (me). He simply said, “Hey Tiger, in his booming voice, and the toddler quieted while the mother and I calmed down. It always reminded me to ”set the stage" before plowing ahead.