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Keeping Up with Dr. Dan – A True Original
By Doug Singer
Dr. Daniel Hamner, or lovingly referred to as Dr. Dan by his seemingly endless array of friends, colleagues and admirers, is a shining, day-glow orange beacon in a sea of black and white. Actor, musician, author, world record holder, marathon runner, artist… and oh yeah, a doctor. Not your average doctor, but one who has won the honor of the New York Top Doctor Award (New York Magazine), not once, but six times! He has also been given the New York Metro Area Top Doctor Sports Medicine Award (Castle Connolly Guide), not once, but again, six times. Getting the picture? This is one extraordinary man.
More than just a healer, Dr. Dan is a visionary--a man with enough passion, energy and drive to do whatever he sets his sights on. At the age of 47 he ran his first marathon, one of forty, including the grueling marathon at the North Pole. “I was totally addicted to the running. If you exercise, everything will follow. Your brain will tell you what to do. But the component of exercise has to be there.” I could write a book on the things this Renaissance man not only has accomplished, but plans for his future. With a body of work that is impressive by any measure, this is a man with a plan.
Inspired by his grandmother, his philosophy leans toward alternative treatments and those in his care consider themselves lucky. His history includes working side by side with Dr. Robert Atkins (of Atkins Diet fame). “I was Bob Atkins' first doctor. We were very into alternative medicine at that time. Even back then they were using chelation and a lot of the nutritional approaches used today.” With this in mind, his specialty became physical medicine and rehab, focusing on strokes and spinal cord injuries.
After years of having an office steps from Central Park on the Upper East Side, he packed up and moved his practice to the East Village. Believe me when I tell you that this suits him extremely well--he is extraordinarily unique and now his surroundings match his personality. Dr. Dan is remarkably hands on and believes in a high level of treatment. It is refreshing to see someone whose walk shadows their talk. Where else can you go to a doctor and your average visit results in a full hour of care? Not waiting around, but actual treatment, discussion and yes, care. This is a philosophy that is in short supply, but Dr. Dan truly believes in getting to know and understand his patients.
An avid blues harmonica player, a Ring Physician for the New York State Boxing Commission, serious collector of vintage and designer clothing, three-time world record holder for US Track and Field running events, consulted, or quoted as a sports medicine expert in endless publications including the Wall Street Journal, Prevention Magazine, Leer’s, New York Daily News, AARP Magazine and New York Post, Dr. Daniel Hamner is a force to be reckoned with—a rare individual who possesses a medical degree and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card.
So what about Dr. Dan the actor? With stints on One Life to Live and small parts in films with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Lee J. Cobb, he had a sparkling, albeit short-lived Hollywood past; however medicine took over early on. Be that as it may, the thespian must still be in his blood as he has a new film coming out, ‘Co-op’, where he plays opposite model/actor Debbie Dickinson and has high hopes for critical appeal at the Gotham Film Festival.
Dr. Dan is an inspiration, a man who lives his life with purpose, and to keep up with him you better have your running shoes on.
www.drdanhamnermd.com
Dr. Daniel Hamner, or lovingly referred to as Dr. Dan by his seemingly endless array of friends, colleagues and admirers, is a shining, day-glow orange beacon in a sea of black and white. Actor, musician, author, world record holder, marathon runner, artist… and oh yeah, a doctor. Not your average doctor, but one who has won the honor of the New York Top Doctor Award (New York Magazine), not once, but six times! He has also been given the New York Metro Area Top Doctor Sports Medicine Award (Castle Connolly Guide), not once, but again, six times. Getting the picture? This is one extraordinary man.
More than just a healer, Dr. Dan is a visionary--a man with enough passion, energy and drive to do whatever he sets his sights on. At the age of 47 he ran his first marathon, one of forty, including the grueling marathon at the North Pole. “I was totally addicted to the running. If you exercise, everything will follow. Your brain will tell you what to do. But the component of exercise has to be there.” I could write a book on the things this Renaissance man not only has accomplished, but plans for his future. With a body of work that is impressive by any measure, this is a man with a plan.
Inspired by his grandmother, his philosophy leans toward alternative treatments and those in his care consider themselves lucky. His history includes working side by side with Dr. Robert Atkins (of Atkins Diet fame). “I was Bob Atkins' first doctor. We were very into alternative medicine at that time. Even back then they were using chelation and a lot of the nutritional approaches used today.” With this in mind, his specialty became physical medicine and rehab, focusing on strokes and spinal cord injuries.
After years of having an office steps from Central Park on the Upper East Side, he packed up and moved his practice to the East Village. Believe me when I tell you that this suits him extremely well--he is extraordinarily unique and now his surroundings match his personality. Dr. Dan is remarkably hands on and believes in a high level of treatment. It is refreshing to see someone whose walk shadows their talk. Where else can you go to a doctor and your average visit results in a full hour of care? Not waiting around, but actual treatment, discussion and yes, care. This is a philosophy that is in short supply, but Dr. Dan truly believes in getting to know and understand his patients.
An avid blues harmonica player, a Ring Physician for the New York State Boxing Commission, serious collector of vintage and designer clothing, three-time world record holder for US Track and Field running events, consulted, or quoted as a sports medicine expert in endless publications including the Wall Street Journal, Prevention Magazine, Leer’s, New York Daily News, AARP Magazine and New York Post, Dr. Daniel Hamner is a force to be reckoned with—a rare individual who possesses a medical degree and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card.
So what about Dr. Dan the actor? With stints on One Life to Live and small parts in films with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Lee J. Cobb, he had a sparkling, albeit short-lived Hollywood past; however medicine took over early on. Be that as it may, the thespian must still be in his blood as he has a new film coming out, ‘Co-op’, where he plays opposite model/actor Debbie Dickinson and has high hopes for critical appeal at the Gotham Film Festival.
Dr. Dan is an inspiration, a man who lives his life with purpose, and to keep up with him you better have your running shoes on.
www.drdanhamnermd.com
