Dr. Paul Benson has maintained his family practice in Berkley since 1980. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and accredited as an HIV Specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine. He has spent his entire career in private practice.
His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, an externship at Saginaw Osteopathic Hospital in Saginaw, an externship at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic in San Francisco, an internship at Martin Place Hospital in Madison Heights, and a residency at Oakland General Hospital in Madison Heights.
“I have a widely diverse population of patients, making my practice eclectic, interesting, and a great place to work,” he says. Though he didn’t anticipate it when he started his career, HIV medicine has become one of his life’s passions. (Indeed, the terms HIV or AIDS had not even been coined when he first hung out his shingle as a family practitioner in Berkley.) “Little did I know that HIV would find me and change my life the way that it has. I’ve seen many friends die of HIV, many brilliant and gifted people. I’ve seen the frustration of a community that felt that the country’s response, and the world’s response, was sub-adequate at best.” His work with HIV patients has given him a greater appreciation of life and made him a more compassionate physician, and more compassionate human being. Learn more about Dr. Benson’s odyssey as an HIV health care provider in this feature article from the MHP (Michigan Healthcare Professionals)newsletter.
Dr. Benson has published extensively in medical journals [see a list of links to some of his published work here], has been the principal investigator for many therapeutic drug trials in the HIV field, and is a national speaker on many health-related issues. He has served as President of the St. John Oakland Physicians Organization.
Dr. Benson sets the tone for the practice. Under his leadership, people work hard and work seriously, but there’s always an element of fun and camaraderie to it. It’s an atmosphere of respect and acceptance, but not of solemnity. People—staff and patients alike—like each other and like being here. You see more smiles here than at the typical medical office.
How could it be anything other than an odd and fun environment when there’s a friendly golden retriever (Dr. Benson’s beloved Baxter) wandering the premises, popping into examination rooms unpredictably?
Beyond the medical profession, Dr. Benson has long been active in Rotary International at a local and district level, and has served as President of the Berkley Rotary Club. He lives in an historic home in Detroit, and enjoyably devotes much of his spare time to working on his home and renovating it. Boating and gardening are among his favorite hobbies.