Sumi Makkar Sexton MD

Dr. Sumi Makkar Sexton is an assistant professor of family medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC, and is a founding partner and President of Premier Primary Care Physicians in Arlington, Virginia (www.premierprimarycare.com). She is also an associate editor for American Family Physician, the best-read journal in the field of primary care. Dr. Sexton received her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1996 and completed a residency in family medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1999. Her writing and research in the field of pacifiers and thumb-sucking were not only fueled by her current medical practice, but also by her two young daughters, who were avid pacifier users.

Dr. Sumi Sexton, MD focuses on providing comprehensive medical care to people of all ages and treating different health conditions. Family Doctors take care of people and not just treat diseases. Family Doctors are responsible for taking care of the patients’ lives in the context of their families and community. While there are some similarities between primary care and family medicine specialists, the latter has an unprecedented opportunity to impact the health of the patient over their entire lifetime. She will be managing common complaints, diagnosing emerging conditions, and overseeing preventative care. Whether you have a bladder infection or a flu virus, the go-to resource is the family doctor.

It is the responsibility of the family doctor to ensure that they take care of their patient’s physical, mental as well as emotional wellbeing. They are the first ones a patient confides in on experiencing unusual symptoms. Since they will be familiar with the patient’s medical records, they can quickly recognize whether the change is an indication of a hidden, serious condition.