Meet your neighbor Dr. Doug Newton. If his name sounds familiar, that’s because he and his team at Kaiser were recently recognized by the Denver Post as a health care provider battling the opioid epidemic with non-pill pain treatments. It is wonderful that one of our own is making powerful strides toward improving the health care industry.

Doug  grew up  in small town Wisconsin along the Mississippi River. He attended college and medical school at UW Madison, graduate school in public health at Yale and residency training at Dartmouth College.  After living and doing research in places like Vietnam, Norway and Russia, Doug was set to practice international work in infectious disease.  After accidentally signing up for UNICEF project in grad school looking at social determinants of disease and resiliency factors in kids across cultures, his outlook changed. That coupled with an enriched childhood lead him  down the path of child and adolescent psychiatry to assist not only with therapy and medications but to emphasize prevention and strength-based models.

How did you land in Colorado and why did you choose to raise your family in Wash Park?

Colorado was a successful experiment of “trying it out.”  After a year of renting in Congress Park, we decided Denver was the right choice to raise a family and in spring 2010 Wash Park had more houses available on the market in our price range.  (I know, hard to believe it now).  Also, Carrie and I loved the idea of a strong community school in Steele Elementary. Very lucky all around to have both our daughters go there.

Favorite things to do around town? 

Many things. Yet, as most parents attest to, are often dictated by what the girls like to do. Zoo, museums, the park, dog walks and just hanging with the family in the yard and grilling.

Favorite Colorado escapes?

Love, love Devils Thumb Ranch. Girls can just go primal there. That coupled with horses, barn, pools, hot tub and drinks for mom and dad equals “family fun town.”  We also love camping and ski get-always with other close family friends. We are again so blessed to have family and friends around Wash Park.

We know what an incredible cook and foodie you are, can you tell us what sparked this hobby? 

Ah. Yes, this is a stretch. My relaxation is working with my hands and trying to come up with creative ways of cooking, grilling or smoking while at home. But, I’m far, far from an “incredible cook.”  (We beg to differ. Doug also happens to be very modest.)

(Pictured Above: Doug and Carrie Newton)