R.S. Isaac Gardner, MD, ACP

Board Certifications & Specializations

Dr. Gardner holds expertise across three interconnected medical specialties, making him uniquely qualified to treat conditions at the intersection of psychiatry, neurology, and endocrinology.

Education

Undergraduate:

  • Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. - A.B. Degree (Chemistry major)

Predoctoral Fellowship:

  • New York University, N.Y.

  • Recipient of the Borden Award for Undergraduate Research for extraordinary work in facilitating the deciphering of the genetic code

Medical Degree:

  • New York University School of Medicine - M.D. Degree

  • Research in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Dr. Severo Ochoa during third year of medical school

  • Published four research papers that deciphered the critical missing link to understanding the genetic code

Post Graduate Training & Fellowships

Internal Medicine:

  • Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA - St. Medicine Internship

  • Barnes Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, MO - Assistant Resident in Medicine

Endocrinology & Metabolism:

  • Division of Metabolism, Washington University, St. Louis, MO - Postdoctoral Fellow

  • Training under Carl V. Moore, M.D. and David Kipnis, M.D.

Psychiatry:

  • University of California, San Diego, CA - Psychiatric Residency

Research Fellowships:

  • Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine - Postdoctoral Fellow (Supervisor: Nobel Laureate Dr. Arthur Kornberg) - Studies of bacterial sporulation as a model of differentiation

  • N.I.A.M.D.D., National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD - Associate (Supervisor: Dr. Gordon Tomkins) - Studies on steroid hormone receptors leading to the discovery of hormone blockers

  • Veterans Administration, Iowa City, IA - Research Associate

  • University of Iowa, Department of Endocrinology - Endocrine research in thyroid hormone receptors, discovering that these receptors bind to specific segments of DNA

Board Certifications

  • National Board of Medical Examiners

  • American Board of Internal Medicine

  • California Board of Medical Quality Assurance

Academic Appointments

  • Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

  • Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA

  • Attending in Endocrinology, Valley Medical Center, Fresno, CA

  • Attending in Endocrinology, Sutter Medical Center, Santa Rosa, CA

  • Instructor for family practice residents in endocrinology at the Sutter Family Practice Clinic, Santa Rosa

Professional Experience

Clinical Practice:

  • Practicing physician since 1979 (45+ years of experience)

  • Present: Private Practice of Psychiatry and Endocrinology in California

  • Former: Visalia Medical Clinic – Visalia, California

  • Former: Private Practice in Internal Medicine

  • Expertise in integrative psychiatry and psycho-neuro-endocrinology

  • Specialization in endocrine-psychiatric evaluations and medication management for psychiatric and adjustment disorders

  • Particular expertise in treatment-resistant mood disorders and hormone-related psychiatric conditions

Professional Memberships

  • American College of Physicians (ACP)

  • American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

  • The International Menopause Society

  • American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (past)

  • Endocrine Society of the Redwoods (past)

  • The International Society of Psycho-neuro-endocrinology (past)

Distinguished Research Career

Dr. Gardner's career has been marked by groundbreaking research contributions:

Genetic Code Research: During his medical training, Dr. Gardner conducted research that was instrumental in deciphering the genetic code, working with Nobel Laureate Dr. Severo Ochoa. This work resulted in four published research papers and earned him the prestigious Borden Award.

Hormone Receptor Discovery: His postdoctoral research on steroid hormone receptors at the National Institutes of Health led to the discovery of hormone blockers, a significant advancement in endocrinology.

Thyroid Hormone Research: At the University of Iowa, Dr. Gardner discovered that thyroid hormone receptors bind to specific segments of DNA, advancing understanding of thyroid hormone function at the molecular level.

Biography

R.S. Isaac Gardner, M.D., A.C.P. graduated from Princeton University with a Chemistry major. He then graduated from New York University School of Medicine. He spent a year of research in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Dr. Severo Ochoa during his third year of medical school. This led to publication of four research papers that deciphered the critical missing link to understanding the genetic code.

After graduating from medical school, he participated in a St. Medicine internship at Stanford School of Medicine. This was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in Biochemistry under Nobel Laureate Dr. Arthur Kornberg, with studies of bacterial sporulation as a model of differentiation.

Following this postdoctoral fellowship, two years were spent at the National Institute of Health under Dr. Gordon Tomkins. Studies on steroid hormone receptors led to the discovery of hormone blockers.

Following this fellowship, Dr. Gardner completed a residency in internal medicine and postdoctoral fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at Washington University in St. Louis, under Carl V. Moore, M.D. and David Kipnis, M.D. He then practiced clinical endocrinology in a group practice for two years.

Thereafter, he joined the faculty of the University of Iowa in the Department of Endocrinology and pursued endocrine research in thyroid hormone receptors. He discovered that these receptors bind to specific segments of the DNA.

Following four years at the University of Iowa, Dr. Gardner entered a psychiatric residency at the University of California, San Diego. After completing the residency, he moved to Sonoma County, CA, and pursued his clinical work in the field of psycho-neuro-endocrinology. He continued his involvement with teaching by instructing family practice residents in endocrinology at the Sutter Family Practice Clinic in Santa Rosa.

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Gardner's multi-specialty training provides a rare and valuable perspective:

Psychiatry Background enables diagnosis and treatment of:

  • Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)

  • Anxiety disorders and PTSD

  • ADHD and cognitive disorders

  • Medication management and psychopharmacology

Endocrinology Background enables evaluation of:

  • Thyroid function and autoimmune thyroid disease

  • Sex hormone imbalances (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)

  • Adrenal function and cortisol regulation

  • Metabolic disorders affecting mental health

  • Comprehensive hormone testing and interpretation

Internal Medicine Background provides:

  • Whole-person medical assessment

  • Understanding of medication interactions and side effects

  • Metabolic monitoring and cardiovascular health

  • Integration of psychiatric and medical care

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Gardner believes that many psychiatric symptoms have undiagnosed medical causes. His approach involves:

  1. Thorough evaluation of both psychiatric symptoms and physical health

  2. Comprehensive testing when indicated to identify hormonal or metabolic factors

  3. Integrated treatment addressing both psychiatric and medical aspects

  4. Individualized care tailored to each patient's unique situation

  5. Ongoing monitoring of both mental health and metabolic parameters

Continuing Education

Dr. Gardner maintains active involvement in medical education and stays current with advances in:

  • Psychopharmacology

  • Endocrinology and hormone replacement therapy

  • Metabolic psychiatry

  • Integrated mental health care