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    Nov 05
    Provider Spotlight: Dr. Mallory Otto

    Mallory Otto, MD, is a fellowship-trained geriatrician at Saratoga Hospital and a member of Saratoga Hospital Medical Group. Dr. Otto has nearly a decade of experience, most recently at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, where she specialized in aging and geriatric medicine. She also served as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, teaching courses in geriatric medicine, palliative care and rehabilitation medicine.    

    A graduate of Cornell University, Otto earned her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College. After an internship and residencyMallory Otto in internal medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, she completed fellowship training in geriatric medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital. She is board certified in internal medicine with subspecialty certification in geriatrics. Her husband, urologist Brandon Otto, MD, is also a physician at Saratoga Hospital. They live locally with their three children.  

    Q. Why did you choose a career in medicine, and why this specialty? 
    A. When I was very young, and even through high school, I noticed my grandparents’ doctor and how he cared for them. He was so helpful. It really made an impression on me. My grandmother was a lieutenant nurse in the U. S. Army and a prominent healthcare figure in my life. She gave me quite a bit of encouragement. It helps that I have always been interested in the sciences.  

    I chose geriatrics for several reasons. Sometimes traditional medicine doesn't do what is needed for the elderly. The geriatric specialty can help us identify what is more or less helpful. For example, deciding when to stop certain medications or whether it might be better to be a little less intensive in terms of therapies. Some treatments can have harmful side effects and must be seriously weighed against the benefits. “Do no harm” is especially important in geriatrics.  

    Q. What quality or area of expertise most sets you apart in your work? 
    A. When I was a pre-med student, I had a concentration in biopsychology. Psychology is an important part of medicine and human connection. The foremost reason why we care for people’s health is so they can be with family and friends. For many people, that social network is hugely important, which is why it’s important to me.  

    Throughout my medical education, older adults were always my favorite patients because they had so much to share. Hearing their stories adds to the richness of what it means to be a doctor, and it elevates the focus of their care. It’s how you learn about their connections, what is important to them, how they define "quality of life" for themselves. This all informs my recommendations for treatment. 

    Q. What is the biggest change you have seen over the years in terms of treatments or equipment in your specialty? 
    A. The focus of geriatric practice used to be in primary care or consulting with treating physicians in a hospital, both of which we still do, of course. But there will never be enough geriatricians to fulfill the growing needs in primary care, which is why the focus has shifted to consultation. This helps us expand our reach to older patients. 

    And now, we are becoming more embedded in other specialties. For example, there is quite a bit of orthopedic and geriatric collaboration. I previously worked in a consultative role on a level-one trauma team as a physician evaluating geriatric patients who were involved in an accident or fall. Consultation with specialists on behalf of patients is a large part of my day. 

    I work with my patients to see them up and walking, able to maintain their activity. I watch out for medications that may cause harm. In discussions with the patient’s care team, I help keep the treatment focused on what’s most important to the patient. I am bringing age-friendly care within the care that is already excellent here.

    Q. What might patients be surprised to learn about you?
    A. I am an Adirondack native. It’s great to be back home. I grew up loving the outdoors. I enjoy cross-country skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, and just being in the great outdoors with my three little boys. 

    Dr. Mallory Otto sees inpatients and consults with physicians daily at Saratoga Hospital. Inpatients or their families are welcome to ask their hospitalist for a check-in with our geriatrician. Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Geriatric Care is located in our Saratoga Hospital Medical Offices - Wesley location, at 119 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs.