Jeanne Shiffman, MD, DABFM, NCMP

Philosophy

After working as an analyst in the federal government for more than six years, Dr. Shiffman went to medical school to make a difference on a one-on-one level. She champions a holistic approach to healthcare, and enjoys counseling and working with her patients in a collaborative manner. Dr. Shiffman is happy to discuss different treatment options—both traditional and complementary—with her patients.

Joined Steinmetz Medical Associates: September 2008

Biography

The Birth of a Doctor

Dr. Shiffman first knew she wanted to be a doctor when she volunteered in the Emergency Room of a local hospital. Compared to other work she had done for the federal government up to that point, she found working in the hospital to be very rewarding. “In my previous position as an analyst with a federal national security agency, I worked on preparing reports to be read by the President of the United States. I did important work, and did benefit mankind on a more global scale. But I found it more gratifying to work with people one-on-one, even something as simple as handing someone a pillow.”

Experience

Jeanne Willis Shiffman, MD, has taken an unconventional path to the medical field. After majoring in Russian Studies at the University of Virginia, she worked for the federal government for six years. Wanting to make a difference on a personal, one-to-one level, Dr. Shiffman decided to enter the medical field.

Board-certified in both family medicine and integrative and holistic medicine and a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, Dr. Shiffman graduated from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2000 and completed her residency at the Georgetown University/Providence Hospital program in Washington, DC. As a private practitioner since 2004, Dr. Shiffman has studied medical acupuncture through the Helms Institute/ UCLA, the leading institution for acupuncture training for physicians. She is a member of the clinical faculty at Georgetown University and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. She also has privileges at Virginia Hospital Center and Inova Alexandria Hospital.

Dr. Shiffman champions a holistic approach to healthcare. In addition to acupuncture, her interest in complementary modalities includes bio-identical hormone replacement, homeopathy and yoga.

Specialties

As a Family Practice physician, Dr. Shiffman treats a wide range of medical conditions. However, she is known as the hormone specialist in the group, focusing on such areas of interest as menopause, thyroid problems, adrenal gland issues, and male hormone deficiencies.  (SMA accepts patients age five on up.)

Building Trust

Dr. Shiffman prides herself on taking the time to really get to know her patients, and offers several solutions to achieve wellness. Whether it’s contemporary “Western” treatment methods using FDA-approved prescription medications, or “Eastern” treatments such as acupuncture, Dr. Shiffman thinks the most gratifying moment is hearing that a patient is actually feeling better and has made the changes necessary to live a healthy lifestyle.  While she advocates for a healthier lifestyle, she accepts patients where they are and understands that behavior modification is not easy, but she strives for patients to take little steps that over time can reap great rewards. For instance, reducing blood sugar even just a little offers enormous benefits!

“My patients have told me that they can tell I am a very sincere person, and I do care about them. I ask many questions until I can determine where the patient is coming from, what they are looking for, and then I work with them in partnership to achieve their goal. Whether they have one issue or several, I try to spend anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes per office visit.”

A Doctor’s Passion

“I like really getting to know my patients, which is one of the main reasons why I chose family medicine versus, for example, an emergency room doctor, where I wouldn’t be able to see my patient more than once. I like to invest the time to get down in to the subtleties of their case. It’s very rewarding to me to see someone when they are little, and then to follow them as they grow up and mature.  I saw a patient today where I almost knew what she was going to come see me about, before she said anything. I have been seeing her throughout her whole life, and I know that around this time of the year, her allergies get really bad. I like being able to build a relationship and caring for my patients.”

Creating Optimal Wellness

Dr. Shiffman first spends time trying to determine what her patient’s health and wellness goals are. After she’s determined their goals, the next step is more of a two-fold approach. First, she gives them background on the big picture, then she gets specific. She also refers patients to other professionals if she feels they need it, such as nutritionists and fitness trainers.

One of Dr. Shiffman’s pet peeves is this country’s very high consumption of sugary soft drinks. “After I tell my patients why soda is so bad for them, I give them a list of healthy substitutes, such as bottled teas. They come in a variety of flavors now, and taste great. You can buy them anywhere, so there’s really no reason to drink sugary soft drinks. Sodas are too acidic, have high-fructose corn syrup, and sugar-free sodas have Nutra-sweet, which is also bad for you. They are unhealthy drinks that can lead to headaches, diabetes, stroke, and obesity.”

Success Story

Dr. Shiffman recalls lighting a spark with one patient in particular. “One of my patients had an underactive thyroid, and I gave her a prescription for natural thyroid hormones. She took the hormones, enrolled in our First Line Therapy program, lost weight, and it really changed her life. She felt better about herself, looked better, and even acquired lots of energy so she started exercising. She also changed her diet, and basically turned her life completely around. She even renovated her house. It was very rewarding for me to see such a dramatic change in a person’s life. All I did was provide the jump start. She did the rest.”