Luke Spellman, DO

Biography

Podcast Episodes Featuring Dr. Spellman
Ep. 1 - Kids & Sports Injuries
Ep. 11 - Concussions
Ep. 54 - Kids & Exercise
Ep. 77 - Teething, First Foods and Introducing Solids

Why did you become a physician/provider?
I grew up in the country in small town Iowa. Our next door neighbor was our family physician. He encompassed wonderful qualities including kindness, compassion and selflessness. He was also extremely intelligent and thoughtful. Besides my parents, he became one of my main role models. He was central in my motivation to become a physician. My motivation to become a doctor came full circle when my older brother, whom I look up to and have great respect for, became a doctor.
As a provider, what is your medical philosophy?
As a provider, I strive to develop a trusting relationship with families and provide the highest quality care in a comfortable, friendly environment. I provide evidence-based care and recommendations for children which results in high quality healthcare.
What type of care/clinical interests are you most passionate about?
All things general pediatrics. It's difficult for me to pinpoint one specific area of general pediatrics. I am passionate about developing trusting relationships with families and providing well rounded evidence-based medical care. I also have a strong passion for sports medicine and enjoy working with athletes, whether it be in the office or on the sidelines.
Why did you choose your specialty?
Pediatrics chose me. I remember specifically sitting with one of my buddies at a restaurant in Iowa City who was also trying to figure out what residencies he was going to apply for. We had a long discussion about our medical school rotations and patient experiences. During that discussion, I realized that my best and most meaningful experiences occurred during my pediatric rotations. My friend ended up becoming a neonatologist. Simply, I love taking care of kids and working with parents.
Being a healthcare provider, what drives/motivates you each day?
My motivation stems from the realization that I was given multiple great opportunities throughout my life which put me in a position to work with children and families in a job that I really enjoy. Never taking this for granted motivates me. My wife also is a physician. She is compassionate and provides wonderful care to her patients. She motivates me to be a better person and physician everyday.
What is the most important thing patients should know about you and your practice?
We strive to create the most comfortable and welcoming environment to promote health through preventative medicine including immunizations, close monitoring of development, and accurate diagnosis and treatment for acute conditions.