BOMA Family Spotlight - Dr. John Worden

As part of our continued series that features our board members, Sue Ek interviewed John Worden, MD, who is finishing his last term on the board.

Photo L-R: John V, Cecilia, Dr. John , Dr. Rebecca, Rachel and Patrick

​Q. Years ago, I remember meeting you at the first Teacher Training we hosted with trainers from WOOMB in Australia. One of your comments remains vivid even to this day. You had just returned from medical training for another NFP method in Omaha and, you told me you got more science in our weekend training than you did in two sessions there. Tell us about the differences.

John - I think I was impressed with the Billings Method™ because we were able to learn a huge amount in just a few days whereas with the training in Omaha it took two one-week sessions.

Q. As a family practice physician, how has the use of Billings impacted your practice of medicine?

John - Knowing the Billings Method™ allows me to be able to be much more comfortable diagnosing and treating women with various menstrual or other issues. It also gives me something to offer them that will help them understand themselves.

Q. Do you utilize www.nfpcharting.com to view patients’ charts?

John - I have used NFP charting.com to look at charts. It is very useful and easy to navigate and use.

Q. Am I remembering correctly that you and your wife, Becky Worden, MD own a family medicine practice? Tell us about that and, your children.

John - We practice medicine in Gardner, MA at Mercy Family Practice which is owned by my myself and my wife who is also a family practice physician. We have two nurse practitioners and several nurses and staff. They are all excellent people. We take care of the full range of family practice from conception to natural death. We also take care of obstetrical patients as well as pediatrics and adults. We heard we are some of the few remaining doctors in our hospital who still admit our own patients to the hospital.
Rebecca and I have four children, two boys and two girls. The oldest boy is a senior in high school. The youngest is a girl who is in fourth grade. They all have their activities and are interested in different things. We are very happy to have such lovely children.
We belong to Saint Martin’s Parish here. We have a vibrant group of Catholic friends with whom we share much time together.

Q. Speaking directly to physicians, what would you tell them to encourage them to learn the Billings Method™?
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John - I would think that every physician should be aware of The Billings Method™. I would think it would be even better if every physician knew The Billings Method™. It should be a required part of every medical school education. I teach all my medical students who come through my office about the Method.