Alexander F. Castellanos, M.D., is a graduate from the Stanford, University School of Medicine. Dr. Castellanos received his training at Stanford, USC, UCSF, Queens Square –London, England (Neurology), and IMAN – Mexico City (Pediatrics)
Dr. Castellanos spent eight years as a trauma room physician. During the last 18 years, he has developed proactive investigations in the specialty of family medicine. As a result, he has been able to assist thousands of patients in preventing and reversing cardiovascular disease. Recently, Dr. Castellanos’ practice was chosen by Stanford University for research collaboration for the risk assessment of cardiovascular disease.
His goal as a physician is to alleviate barriers that exist between patient and physician, to motivate patients for better health.
He is a member of several recognized medical associations.
Dr. Castellanos is also a recognized Instructor of Medical Students and Nurse Practitioners from Stanford, UCSF, UCD, and USF.
| College | Program | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Callexico High School | 1968 | |
|
University of San Francisco | Bachelor of Science | 1968-1972 |
|
Stanford School of Medicine | Medical Degree | 1972-1977 |
|
U.C. San Francisco, Santa Rosa | Internship | 1977-1978 |
|
U.C. Irvine | Residency | 1978-1980 |
| Program | Date |
|---|---|
| Trauma Medicine | 1978-1985 |
| Family Medicine | 1985-present |
• Fellow of American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery
• American Holistic Health Association (Past)
• American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (Past)
• American Academy of Family Physicians
• American Diabetes Association (Past)
• National Association of Medical Communicators (Past)
• National Alliance of Hispanic Health (Past)
• Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine
Horses
He runs with them for 2-4 hours around a circular track that he built himself.
Music
Dr. Castellanos has been playing the trumpet since he was in the fourth grade, which allowed him to gain confidence and recognition from his peers. He kept up his first chair position, the highest position available, from elementary to his final college years. Those same college years he was the band director, jazz director, and the pep band director. He recently picked up his trumpet and has been playing again for the past six years.
Dr. Castellanos playing the National Anthem July 12, 2023.
Dr. Castellanos playing the National Anthem at Templeton’s Fourth of July Parade 2023.
A tribute to service men and women, those in armed services, and Dr. Castellanos’s father and his two younger brothers. One who is part of the NSA, and another who is the program director for the anti-terrorists system in San Diego.
A Christmas Eve Song for the Church (December 24, 2022):
A Christmas Day Song for the Church (December 25, 2022):
Suggested: Read before video.
Symphony Interview with Dr. C
Interviewer: How did you come about directing the North County Symphony Fundraiser?
Dr. Alexander Castellanos: I was the only one to win the bid.
Interviewer: Have you ever directed something like this before?
Dr. C: Not something like this, but it has been on my bucket list. It’s definitely a different experience from the directing smaller groups such as the jazz band and the pep band in college.
Interviewer: What are we going to see in this video?
Dr. C: I walk to the stand and focus on the music score which has all the instruments and their parts and it’s really overwhelming. I turn right to the real director and express that I may need help. That’s when the members start laughing.
Interviewer: How did you feel up front? Did you feel like you were up to the challenge?
Dr. C: Far from it! However, like other challenges in life, one is to show self confidence and strong direction. So my next task was to show that I was ready to lead the symphony. I tap the baton on the music stand to bring everyone to full attention and full readiness.
(Laughter comes from the symphony and audience…)
Enjoy the video!
Aikido
Aikido is defined as “a way of life with harmony with nature.” In parctice, one uses oncoming confrontation whether it’s verbal, physical, or emotional and one response is to defuse the challenge in a non-violent, nonconfronational approach. Dr. Castellanos uses the “unbendable arm” exercise to illustrate three conditions that are applicable to life.
Building
1995 the beginning of the straw bale construction.
Experience: I join the organization called “Out on Bail” and took a course on construction using straw bales. During the 10 day course 10 other people and myself were involved in ground up construction of a building. Foundation, footings, post and beam, trusses, roof, window frames… we did it all.
So now I’m ready so I thought!
5 1/2 years later the house has been cleared by the county to move in.
Along the way there were many accidents. Falling off ladders, breaking bones of hands and arms, sliding off a ladder catching a nail to the face causing nerve damage…
This building activity took place during the weekends and sometimes during the summer after work. So patients were always exposed to dressings, arm slings, bandages, and bruises on the face… and I was still able to work, wearing my lab coat and using my stethoscope.
There were many delays, some because it was still hard labor, and an ongoing learning experience.
Other delays were from my wilderness friends; during the spring momma fox dug her den on one of my straw walls next to the staircase.
So every summer there were 4 to 5 kits running all over the frames and rafters, they didn’t seem to be bothered by me working along.
Lots of deer, they seem to be wanting to help by trimming my walls chewing the loose straw. After having their fill, they would lay inside the building for the night.
Several times I would come home from work,finding my horses also participating in DE-construction!
During the summer, building was also delayed because hundreds of birds nested and have babies and I would have to wait for those babies to leave in order for me to continue working on completing placing chicken wire on both sides of the walls, getting ready for plaster…
Racing
Dr. Castellanos went to Russell Racing School in Laguna Seca. He was part of one of the worst accidents in Laguna Seca history, a 13 car pile up! As car number 13 in the starting lineup, he crashes into the pile up as car 1 misses his apex and car 2 hits his rear tire. The experience made him a safer driver and gave him some insight on what pain his patients might feel.
In his original ‘85 Porsche, he had an accident where a passing semi t-bones a car on the highway. That car is then launched toward Dr. castellanos who swerves, spins out and bounces between the semi on his left and the cement barrier on his right. Every part of his car was crushed except his door.
