The cancer diagnosis and surgery have been the most painful (physically and mentally) things I have ever been through. Within the first 30 seconds of meeting with him, Derek recognized that I was struggling mentally with all that was going on. Instead of doing vitals, giving meds, and moving on with his busy day, he stopped, sat on the side of my bead, and just listened. He told me the importance of a positive mental outlook and the power it holds by itself in healing the body. It was as good, if not better than any pill that has been given to me yet. That’s a GIFT! No training or class you can take will give a person that. He is an incredible human being with an incredible gift. Please treat him with the same care and respect that he gives to his patients.