Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.

Adolescent Specialist | Adolescent Medicine

4/5(36)

832 Queen Street Southington Connecticut, 06489 Show map

Write A Review Watch Videos

Rating

4/5

About
Contacts & Locations
Accepted Insurances

About

I am continuing to serve as a Practicing Internal Medicine Physician. The central focus of my care is the individual. I aim to listen, to understand, to sort out the active concerns of each individual and to address each. I will actively address any expressed and discovered concern, and will make referrals as needed. My care aims to be proactive and preventative - to provide screening and advice and counsel regarding health maintenance and wellness achievement. My care also will address acute illnesses and established chronic ailments and health concerns. And my care shall embrace and address complex and high risk burdens of illness. My Calling as Physician is to provide -- and deliver -- personalized care that carefully considers the individual's burden of illnesses, the health changes that she or he is experiencing, and then aiming to carefully provide effective remediation. I am to actively consider special concerns and fears and needs as they unfold. It is with humility that I serve in this chapter of my Vocation -- truly taking time to listen, to hear, to respond, to show empathy, and to make deeply considered and personalized clinical decisions. I pledge to serve carefully and tenderly, expressing value, concerns, hopes, counsel and education to individuals as I deliver particulars of clinical care.

I am blessed with good health myself. I have served for over 30 years as Teaching Physician in three University Medical Centers. My teaching harmonized well with my clinical service and patient care during these years. I served both in outpatient clinics and on hospital units, supervising students and residents in concert with direct care responsibilities. These years were fulfilling. I aimed to deliver best care to patients - and I aimed to model best care as well. I regularly talked to students and residents about the special "Calling" of a physician - the privilege, the responsibilities, the duties, and the opportunities to make a difference to individuals and families. I received several teaching awards over these years, and I received several "Model Physician Awards" as well. These years were filled with gratification and positive relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed clinical teaching and I poured my heart and mind and soul into each moment. I served as Associate and then Full Professor of Medicine at Yale Medical School from 1992 to 2014. During these years, I also served as "Clinical Advisor" to the Chairman of Medicine and I serve as "Advisor" to National Medicare Dialysis Oversight Committee. I also served as Medical Director of Dialysis at Yale from 1994 to 2014 and as Regional Medical Director of Dialysis for two National Dialysis Corporations from 2001 through 2006. In these Medical Director of Dialysis Roles, I was responsible for Quality Assurance and Dialysis Safety in local dialysis clinics in New Haven, CT and I also served as a Regional Educator regarding Quality Assurance for hundreds of dialysis clinic leaders across 30 states in Eastern U.S. In this capacity, I lead the development of several Clinical Pathways which were implemented within the operations of these dialysis clinics and which resulted in high quality care and excellent clinical outcomes.

In 2014, I retired from Yale University Professorship as Tenured Professor Emeritus - - and I transitioned to serving individuals and families in Skilled Nursing Facilities, providing General Medical care to many persons with various chronic illnesses. In this context, I had the capacity to really take time with individuals --- to sit and listen, to hear and to understand their concerns, and to deliver personalized care like never before. In this, I realized my Deepest Calling as a Physician -- primary, holistic care of individuals in their own special contexts, delving deeply into their unique social contexts, knowing deeply their burdens of chronic illnesses, responding promptly to any acute health change that they were experiencing, and addressing their various problems and fears. I took this step in my career journey so that my wife and I could live in a small town in northern Connecticut where our daughter and our grandchildren lived, so that we could help with their care and familly needs. This step was very positive.

In 2015, I transitioned to a Community Health Clinic setting, where I served as Primary Care Physician addressing multiple individuals' needs and concerns. It is with humility that I served in this chapter of my "Vocation" -- truly taking time to listen, to hear, to speak, to show empathy, and to make deeply considered, and personalized clinical decisions - and aiming to catalyze positive change in each person's health and sense of well-being. I served as Chief Medical Officer for the CHC into 2017, then transitioned to a Private Practice Group - DOCS of Connecticut.

Through all, I have truly hoped to be a light that shines, just enough to give warmth and illumination and to be a kindling source for others' whose light is dimming or flickering. I have hoped and continue to hope to confer a true sense of genuine caring to each person that I serve - - caring for the person but also caring about the person -- recognizing and serving within their specific social context.

Serving in this way, serving carefully as a caring physician, has been and is my Calling. I intend to serve thusly as long as God wills and by His Strength and Wisdom.

Professional Honors and Recognition:

Apr 1972 Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Denison University
Sep 1972 Teaching Fellow, Denison University
Jun 1976 Lange Award: "Clinical Excellence". Yale

May 1977 Alpha Omega Alpha, Yale
Jun 1977 Berniker Award: "Most exemplary of The Oath of Hippocrates and Maimonides Prayer" Yale
Jun 1979 Kushlan Award: "For clinical excellence and contributing the most to patient care" Yale
Jul 1983 National Kidney Foundation, Research Fellowship Award, Yale
Jun 1985 Duke University "Special Recognition for Teaching"
Jun 1988 "Teacher of the Year" Brown University
Jun 1988 "Model Physician Award" Brown University
Jun 1989 "Senior Class Outstanding Teacher Award" Brown University
Jun 1989 "Teacher of the Year", Miriam Hospital, Brown University
Jun 1990 "Model Physician Award", Miriam Hospital, Brown University
Jun 1990 "1990 Senior Citation: Outstanding Physician and Teacher" Brown University
Jun 1991 "Senior Class Outstanding Teacher Award", Brown University
Jun 1991 "Model Physician Award", Miriam Hospital, Brown University
Jun 1992 "Teacher of the Year", Miriam Hospital, Brown University
Jun 1993 "Teacher of the Year", Yale Internal Medicine
Jun 1993 "Howard M. Spiro Teaching Award", Yale University Affiliated Hospitals
Sep 1997 "Didactic Professor Award", Yale University Physician Associate Program
Sep 2009 "Didactic Professor Award", Yale University Physician Associate Program
Jun 2011 "Emergency Medicine Resident Appreciation Award", Yale Emergency Medicine
Oct 2012 "DaVita Shining Star Award" -- for service excellence in their dialysis clinics
Sep 2013 "Branford-DaVita Service Appreciation Award"

Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.'s Videos

Education and Training

MD at Yale School of Medicine

Yale New Haven Hospital Internal Medicine Residency 1980

Yale University Fellowship Nephrology Metabolism 1984

Board Certification

American Board of Internal Medicine

Nephrology (Internal Medicine)

Provider Details

Male English

Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.

Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.'s Expert Contributions

My Latest Posts
My Answers

Knowing All About Sugar: Blood Vessel and Tissue Injuries Develop When Blood Glucose Concentrations Circulate Above Normal Even For A Short Time: Part 2 of the Diabetic Story
Glucose is the essential energy molecule that our body's tissues utilize. Glucose exists in fruits and vegetables and grains, either as a simple sugar or as a structural component of plant starches and complex fiber carbohydrates. All carbohydrates must be broken down to glucose and fructose in our...
Knowing All About Sugar: Essential for Life but Potentially Unhealthy: Part 1 of the Diabetic Story
Sugar is the familiar and common name for sucrose, a naturally occurring substance in nature that is formed in plants from the combination of water absorbed from soil and carbon dioxide absorbed from the air. Yes, sugar is composed simply of water and carbon dioxide. Sucrose is a complex sugar...
Vitamin K2: A Little Known Vitamin That We Now Know Reverses and Prevents Artery Calcification and Promotes Bone Matrix Calcification
A “vitamin” is a nutrient essential for life. We are well-acquainted with most vitamins, such as vitamin A, the B-vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and E. Each has a well-known and essential role in support of vital tissue functions, and each must be ingested from particular food sources, with the...
Why Delve Deeply into Our Daily Nutrition? Because we Become what we Eat!
Our daily food and beverage intake may be a matter of deep thought and careful selection. Or, our daily food and beverage intake may be a matter simply of convenience, routine, habit, and taste. What has become clear from many years of impressive scientific research is that daily nutrient flows...

Why are there hydroxychloroquine shortages?
Hydroxychloroquine has been widely and commonly and thoughtfully prescribed for over 20 years to control inflammatory arthritis in Systemic Lupus and in Rheumatoid Arthritis. In this usage, the medicine is prescribed daily for long periods of time. Months and years day by day. It also has been occasionally prescribed for a traveler who is traveling to a region where malaria is common. In this use, only three days or so are prescribed. For Covid, a French physician tried this medicine for a few days and his study showed occasional benefits. So many many people decided to get this medicine and supplies ran out. However, additional studies have not demonstrated clear benefit. Still many pharmacies have run out. It is a medicine that has clear benefits for Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis, but not Covid. Rex Mahnensmith READ MORE
What is the success rate of spinal fusion surgery?
Spinal fusion surgeries are virtually 100% successful - meaning - the surgeon is always able to accomplish the purpose of the surgery, which is to re-align and stabilize vertebra upon vertebra. Particulars are very important - 1 - where - 2 - which vertebrae 3 - how many vertebrae - 4 - - - and more - - - the surgical team can and will re-align and fixate - - - then recovery is critically important - to achieve muscle flexibility - strength - equal balance - - Rex READ MORE
What is the best medication for Kyphosis?
Kyphosis is forward curvature of the spine. Causes include vertebral compressions, small burst fractures, disc degenerations, muscle instabilities and muscle weakness; kyphosis also can develop as a congenital formation defect. Nonoperative therapies in reducing kyphosis include physical therapies, weighted posture aids, external brace supports, and bisphosphonate osteoporotic therapies, if osteopenia is a factor. Medication without anatomical adjustment is not well studied -- potentially helpful medications include baclofen, tizanidine, cholecalciferol, magnesium, and bisphosphonates. Rex READ MORE
Leukemia or MS symptoms
Good evening - I appreciate your concerns - you are enduring a lot of body changes and discomforts and abnormalities. What you describe centers on your gastrointestinal system -stomach upset, small bowel upset, large bowel upset, and abnormal stool character. You describe blood-tainted stool. You exhibit significant weight loss - MS does not center on the gastrointestinal system. And I am wondering why you mention leukemia. What are your blood count values and your blood chemistry results? Does your stool ever test positive for blood? Are you taking a blood thinner? Have you had an upper endoscopy and Upper GI series? Have you had a CT scan of the abdomen with oral contrast? These are important tests for you. READ MORE
Lump in cheekbone under eye
Hi - thank you for your question. Dental X-ray is important to have done - The softer lump is likely a resolving bone infection - now a cyst - filled with fluid - and it likely will resolve slowly - Abscesses are common in dental bones - and if not drained by root canal or other method, then the abscess softens to a cyst. Antibiotics are important - and the duration matters - at least 14 days - sometimes 21 to 28 days is necessary. READ MORE
Is puking without any other health concern serious?
Hello - Responding to your question and concern about repeated throw up - - A sudden onset of such a problem is unusual - you are right to wonder why -- And to have no other symptoms is also unusual as well - - So, possibilities include: 1. A partial obstruction in your upper GI tract - 1. Locations that are more common are: 1. Stomach - duodenum junction - - where strictures can occur without much pain 2. Esophageal - stomach junction - - where strictures can also occur without much pain 3. A "pouch" at the end of the esophagus, which is a wall-weakness - and food gets "stuck" - then upchucked - 4. Upper small bowel - from forming ulcer or from a growth - - 2. Then, we would worry about a change in your smooth muscle functions of the esophagus and/or stomach - - 1. Esophagus can become weak - and soft - and bloated - and dilated - and not propel food down - - 2. Stomach muscle can also become weak - and soft and bloated - called gastroparesis - - 3. The causes vary - - diabetes/hiatal hernia/chronic reflux of acid - - 4. And, rarely - some diseases do produce lining changes of the stomach - - and gastroparesis 3. Common causes with other symptoms include: 1. Acid reflux - heartburn - vomiting 2. Stomach gastritis from acid - vomiting 3. Duodenal ulcer from acid - vomiting 4. Gall stones and bile duct inflammation - vomiting 5. Pancreatitis - vomiting 6. These typically have other symptoms - - pain, discomfort, spasms - - 7. Irritable bowel syndrome - which features discomfort and rare vomiting - and irregular BM - 8. Inflammatory bowel syndrome - which only rarely features vomiting 4. Rare causes 1. Growths - benign tumors or malignant tumors 2. Intestinal blockage from adhesions - 3. Twisted intestine - volvulus 4. Constipation - lower down - - - stomach weakens - - 5. Central Nervous System changes - - inner ear changes - - vertigo - - postural vertigo - Hoping this helps - - Next steps are important - - either wait it out - - see if resolution happens - - or think these through - and have testing done to evaluate - - Dr. Rex M READ MORE
Can I take BP, cholesterol and uric acid tablets together?
Good evening, These medicines that you mention will not clash and will not counter each other. Yes, you may take them all at the same time. My advice - Be sure to take each with fluid. It is best also to have a bit of food - just enough to ease your stomach - taking meds on a completely empty stomach can be a reason for a nausea response. So - about 4 oz with each pill - and some gentle food, like crackers, or pudding or yogurt. Best regards, Rex M READ MORE
When to go in?
You need a professional clinical evaluation - this can be done via telephone, telemedicine, such as Call-a-Doc, or go into a walk in center - it seems that you are ailing and need help to get back into good health. READ MORE
When should I see a geriatrician?
Thank you for asking this question. It is an important consideration. First, realize that Geriatricians are Internal Medicine Physicians who have additional and focused training and ongoing education in the care of persons over the age of 65 years old. A Geriatrician can discern and can assess the special needs of an older person - and manage them expertly. READ MORE
No peristalsis, floppy colon- what can help?
Thank you for asking this question to me - - Floppy Colon is also called "Redundant Colon." The average colon is roughly 45 to 60 inches in length. A Floppy Colon or a Redundant Colon (same) refers to an abnormally long colon. When this condition exists, the extra length is usually in the final section of the colon - referred to as our descending colon. The descending colon is typically less than 24 inches in length, but it can develop additional loops and even twists.The descending colon is where stool is "stored" awaiting final evacuation. The descending colon is the section of our colon that is most prone to develop diverticulosis - which refers to small pouches in the wall of this part of the colon - and these small pouches can be a place where stool sits for a long time and hardens. The descending colon has the purpose and function to absorb water from our "stool" so that evacuation is a "formed" stool. Stool moves through the colon as a gravy form in the beginning of the colon and then water is absorbed out of the stool slowly as the stool moves along. The stool stays gravy form until it enters the descending colon - normally - and then firms as it passes through and enters the sigmoid, just prior to evacuation. Some persons never experience symptoms from a longer floppy descending colon - others do experience constipation, bloating, even crampy discomforts if the stool sits in this colon portion for too long - and then the stool becomes larger, bigger, longer, hard, and dry - and may not pass. Then the colon enlarges even further - and this is when diverticula form - as the colon squeezes to pass - the stool does not move much. Actual cause of this condition includes poor diet habits, inactivity, low fiber in one's diet, low liquid intake, and the social habit of "holding". READ MORE
Do blood pressure medications affect male fertility?
Lisinopril does not adversely affect male fertility. Lisinopril does not adversely affect sperm motility. Lisinopril does not cause or promote sperm mutations. Lisinopril does not promote or cause any birth defects in males. Lisinopril is one BP med in a family called ACE inhibitors. For any male, there is no infertility risk nor birth defect risk associated with any ACE inhibitor. The lisinopril is not deposited in semen and does not enter the female at all, and the male is unaffected. And, no other BP medication has fertility compromise for the man. Additionally, there is no chance that Lisinopril would affect or compromise fetal development if the baby is conceived while the man is taking the medication - - only a small risk exists if the woman is actually taking the medication daily, and the medicine has sustained blood levels in her circulation. This is not relevant for the man - he delivers no risk to the woman or to any fetus, be assured. Rex Mahnensmith, MD READ MORE

Expert Publications

Data provided by the National Library of Medicine

Areas of expertise and specialization

Primary CareGeneral Internal MedicineKidney DiseasesHypertensionPreventative MedicineNutrition and WellnessElder Care and Rest Home CareDiabetes MellitusPre-Diabetic StateOverweight and ObesityMild and Moderate Asthma

Faculty Titles & Positions

Professor, Duke University, Brown University, Yale University -

Awards

Teacher of the Year.Brown Univ.1988, '89, '90, '91, '92
Outstanding Teacher. Yale Univ. 1993, '97, 2009, 2011
Model Physician. Miriam Hosp. 1988, '90, '91
Dialysis Medical Director Excellence. 2011, 2013
Outstanding Teacher. Duke U. 1985
Leading Physicians of the World 2016 International Association of Health Care Practitioners
Berniker Award - Most Exemplary of Prayer of Maimonides 1977 Yale U
Kushlan Award - Best Bedside Manner and Care 1978 Yale NH Hospital
Chief Resident 1980 Yale U Dept of Medicine
Who's Who Honorary 2017 Continental Who's Who
Marquis Who's Who 2022 Marquis Who's Who
Patient Preferred Award 2021 Patient Preferred Physicians

Professional Memberships

American Medical Association
American Society of Nephrology

Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors

Compassion International Aid Society
Send International Missions
CRU Campus Missions
Ligonier Ministries
HAVEN
ASPCA
Christ Community Church in Collinsville
Samaritans' Purse
World Vision

Internships

Yale New Haven Hospital Internal Medicine

Fellowships

Yale University Nephology

Professional Society Memberships

AMA and ASN

Favorite professional publications

JAMA

Areas of research

Nutritional Care of the Person with Chronic Kidney Disease

Optimizing Diabetic Control

Nutritional Care of Polycystic Kidney Condition.

Pharmacologic Care of Polycystic Kidney Condition.

Impact of Clinical Pathways on Promoting Quality Improvement in Clinic Settings

Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.'s Practice location

DOCS Medical Group

832 Queen Street -
Southington, Connecticut 06489

Get Direction

New patients: 860-863-5288, 860-863-5288

https://docsmedicalgroup.com/docsurgentcare/contact/

Mon:09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

DOCS Medical Group

279 Chase Avenue -
Waterbury, Connecticut 06704

Get Direction

New patients: 475-328-0326

Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.'s reviews

(36)

Write Review

Patient Experience with Dr. Mahnensmith

4.0

Based on 36 reviews

Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D. has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 36 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Adolescent Specialist in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.