February 6, 2017

Meet Ian Taras of DrTaras.com in Woodland Hills

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Taras.

Ian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
TLC: A Tradition of Listening & Caring!
That’s not just a phrase, but a motto. Every patient in front of me is treated like I would my wife, sister, mother or daughter. By the way, I love all those people so that’s a good thing! Dr. Edward Taras, my Father, started this practice in 1968 & we’ve been in the same place, ever since. He’s since passed away, but I came on board in 1996.

Gynecology – Hormones
One pill does not fit all is my motto. You’re not a computer so why should there be only one solution? I’ve done my research and believe in both traditional HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) and BioIdentical (Natural) HRT. Most docs will give you a choice of one or the other, but if there are 31 different flavors of ice cream, why can’t there be 31 ways to do hormones? Customized to YOU! I’ve been prescribing B-HRT since 1996 so am not a “Johnnie-come-lately.” Shouldn’t hormones be prescribed by a gynecologist? Put aside “Dr. Google” and put your confidence in someone who will shepherd you through these difficult waters.

Gynecology – Surgical Alternatives & Options
Too often, “old school” docs say, “when in doubt, yank it out!” Over a 1/2 million hysterectomies are done a year in the U.S. & many of them could be done either the “new school” way or not done at all with surgical (or even medical) alternatives. A surgeon’s choice is usually to either make their work easy on them and the recovery harder on you, OR to make it harder on them and therefore make the recovery easier on you! In our practice we take the latter approach; remember that old commercial & the scrubbing bubbles that used to say, “we work hard so you don’t have to!” Dr. Taras has been chosen to travel to different cities and train other doctors in these techniques!

Has it been a smooth road?
There have been challenges and major changes to the practice along the way. Insurance reimbursement challenges amongst them being some of the most difficult. When you do the math, they want us to see a patient every 8 minutes! In 2014, when laws were changed, we had to make a decision whether I wanted to be that volume doctor or go OON (out of network) and take care of patients like they were a family member with time open-ended visits; We chose quality over quantity!

Another huge challenge came when in 2006, we DROPPED obstetrics (baby deliveries) to focus on, amongst other things, menopausal management of hormones and technological advancements in minimally invasive surgeries. The medical malpractice insurance premiums were skyrocketing and the family time was bottoming out!

Before I retired from obstetrics, I was the youngest Chairman of the Department of Ob/Gyn that West Hills Hospital had ever had. No more waiting room anticipating when your Ob/Gyn will return from the hospital because of a delivery.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with DrTaras.com – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
You need 2 minutes in the office or 2 hours? It’s yours.

You want out of the box thinking? We’re proud of that.

Need to shoot me an email while I’m on holiday? No problem.

When you come into the office we strive to make you feel at home.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’m honored to have been able to use our office platform for philanthropy. We’ve raised nearly 3/4 of a million dollars for breast/ovary cancer research in the last dozen years. Our efforts have landed us on the front page of ‘The LA Daily News’ and on ESPN radio!

Our Pink wrapped Tesla in 2015 also garnered international attention! But it is the number of small & large donations from so many patients, family & friends of various means that have me most proud.

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