Faces of Family Medicine: Arthur Berkson, MD

For Dr. Berkson, the heart of medicine has always been about seeing the whole person: their history, their hopes, and their healing journey. Growing up in New Mexico, he watched his father, Dr. Burt Berkson, care for patients with a compassion that went beyond traditional medicine. His father’s integrative approach, blending conventional treatments with complementary therapies, planted an early seed that would guide Dr. Berkson’s path forward. After graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Mexico, Dr. Berkson earned his medical degree at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Masonic Medical Center. No matter how far his education took him, his roots and his calling remained in New Mexico.

Dr. Berkson returned home to begin his career as an attending physician at La Clinica de Familia in Anthony, New Mexico. There, working with a predominantly Spanish-speaking population, he saw firsthand how deeply patients relied on supplements, traditional healing practices, and complementary therapies. Rather than dismiss these approaches, he embraced them, deepening his understanding of the full spectrum of care his patients needed. This passion led him to complete a second board certification in integrative medicine through the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine, one of the country’s first programs of its kind. His training strengthened his commitment to treating not just symptoms, but the whole person, honoring each patient’s physical abilities, mental health, cultural practices, and available resources.

Advocacy has been woven into Dr. Berkson’s story from the beginning. Early in his career, he collaborated with his father on groundbreaking research studying the natural antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Their work ultimately led Dr. Berkson to advocate for ALA appearing before an FDA committee, PCAC (Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee), to present the evidence of ALA’s efficacy in treating diabetic neuropathy. This work helped secure patient access for ALA via compounding pharmacies, a rare and powerful achievement for a young physician. Today, Dr. Berkson’s advocacy continues both inside and beyond the exam room. He works to create a welcoming space where patients feel empowered to share all aspects of their health journey, including integrative practices. He also stands on the frontlines of broader healthcare change in New Mexico.

Deeply concerned about the physician shortage in the state, Dr. Berkson has spent years meeting with lawmakers to raise awareness about the devastating effects of high malpractice rates and to champion policies that protect patients’ access to care. As President of the Doña Ana County Medical Society (DACMS), he is leading new initiatives to amplify physician voices, including organizing DACMS’s first participation in New Mexico’s White Coat Day at the state capitol. Bringing more than forty physicians and medical students to advocate for change, Dr. Berkson is helping to shape a future where healthcare in New Mexico remains strong, compassionate, and accessible for all.

For Dr. Berkson, family medicine is the heart of a thriving community. He chose the specialty because of its unique ability to create deep, lasting connections with patients and to help entire communities grow stronger and healthier. Every day in family medicine brings new challenges that demand curiosity, compassion, and resilience, and he views the work not as a burden, but as an honor. To him, being entrusted with a patient’s story, struggles, and care is one of the greatest privileges a physician can receive. Returning to serve the communities he grew up in, where the need for healthcare providers is so great, has been a source of profound pride. Dr. Berkson encourages medical students to seek residency programs that support their individual needs rather than chasing prestige or perceived rankings. He reminds future physicians that fulfillment during the intense years of training is essential to becoming the kind of doctor their patients deserve.

Dr. Berkson also challenges the misconceptions that surround family medicine, pushing back against the notion that it is a fallback specialty. He acknowledges the real challenges, including the heavy volume of work and the emotional toll that often comes with deeply knowing and caring for patients. Yet he believes those challenges are precisely what make family medicine powerful. More than anything, Dr. Berkson calls on physicians and students alike to reclaim their role not only as caregivers but as advocates. He urges his colleagues to resist being treated as cogs in a machine and instead to recognize the strength of their voice, knowledge, and passion. For Dr. Berkson, the true power of family medicine lies not just in healing individuals, but in empowering physicians to be bold agents of change, champions for their patients, their profession, and the future of healthcare itself.