Dr. Gary Schaffel, MD - The Heart of the Matter

Schaffel Guitar

In many ways, Dr. Gary Schaffel's path as a physician has mirrored the rhythm of a well-played song- energetic, soulful, and inspired. From his early days in medicine to the founding of Forward Focus Concierge Medicine (FFCM) in 2007, Dr. Schaffel has tuned his approach by focusing patients on a consistent message toward wellness and life balance to help them seek not just longer lives, but better ones.

The Physician

Dr. Schaffel could see all those years ago what a truly connected doctor-patient relationship could feel like and sought to redefine the primary care experience. Concierge medicine initially was a luxury experience, but over the years, it has come to represent a deeply personalized approach that blends modern medicine with genuine human connection; a medical experience that should be the standard for all patients. Now, the vision continues to grow at their new Highland Park location at 799 Central Ave., with Drs. Dan Goldstein, Alina Elperin, and Smriti Goel all share the idea of giving patients a more intimate, accessible, and partnership-driven care experience.

For Dr. Schaffel, practicing medicine in the North Shore isn't just about geography, it's about community. A longtime resident of Deerfield, he and his family have deep roots here. Whether it's at the office, around town, or performing at a local event, Dr. Schaffel understands the value of community and recognizes that being connected is an important aspect of good health. His patients often describe him as the kind of physician who listens a little longer, asks the right questions, and treats the person, not just the ailment.

"I've always believed the art of medicine lies in seeing each patient as a whole human being" he often notes. "To truly help someone, you need to understand their story - their health, their stress, their joy, even their soundtrack."

The Musician

That "soundtrack" has played a literal role in Dr. Schaffel's life. Away from the clinic, he's an active musician, performing with local bands and at his synagogue, where music becomes both a creative outlet and a spiritual connection. For him, playing isn't just recreation - it's restoration. The rhythm of rehearsal, the energy of performance, and the shared emotion of a live set all reflect themes that also guide his practice: harmony, collaboration, and empathy. Music, for Dr. Schaffel, is more than a hobby; it's another form of healing.

Promoting Heart Health

Heart health remains one of the cornerstones of Dr. Schaffel's practice. Just as music has its own tempo and cadence, so too does the heart - and learning to keep that rhythm steady is essential. Dr. Schaffel spends a lot of time at his yearly wellness exams doing a deep dive, identifying warning signs that put patients at risk for developing heart disease. Because these appointments are longer, he can manage the major risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes as well as work with patients to identify aspects of their lifestyle that promote bad eating habits, lack of exercise, and lack of sleep.

There is also time to consider the indirect impact of emotional stress, spiritual nourishment, mindfulness, and other mind-body functions that can strain the heart over the course of a patient's lifetime if ignored.

Because cardiovascular disease continues to be a leading cause of illness and death in the US, we all need to actively work on lowering our risk. There are several specific steps we can take to lower risk:

  1. Focus on diet - eat a plant-based diet that is low in processed food, low in "bad fats", and stay hydrated. We all need to limit our portion sizes and try to avoid going to sleep on a full stomach.
  2. Exercise -technology has made our lives too sedentary. More important than intense exercise, we need to find more opportunities to get up and move. Find ways to walk more and move in ways that you wouldn't consider exercise, like working around the house, gardening, or walking at a mall.
  3. Stress management - our world has become stressful for many reasons. This needs to be actively managed. While stress can have a direct negative impact on the body, it also impacts our decisions on eating, exercising and sleeping.
  4. Sleep - sleep is restorative. It is a high priority for good health and well-being. Sleep disturbances are often a result of our lifestyle habits that impact sleep negatively.

Then, there is music, the magical elixir that reminds us to breathe, to reset, and to feel. "It restores balance - physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually" Dr. Schaffel's approach, a blend of science, compassion, and creativity, helps patients incorporate all aspects of their lives to achieve the best health possible.

Whether guiding a patient through a heart health plan, seeing a patient around Deerfield, or at a gig, his mission remains the same: to help others find - and keep - their rhythm in life.

Resources Recommended by The Doctors

  • Professional Nutrition Services - Sheryl Grey, MS, RDN, LDN
  • Locstep Concierge Wellness - Bret Greenberg, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
  • Immediate Support - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7 free, confidential support for anyone in distress. Lake County Crisis Care Program: 847-377-8088 (local 24/7 crisis intervention and referral)

Online and Community Resources