For Family Medicine Specialist Morgan Katz, Every Visit Matters

When her father-in-law was nearing the end of his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Morgan Katz, D.O., experienced firsthand the importance of every medical appointment. “We would write down all of our questions,” she said. “You’re arranging transportation. People are taking off from work. So many things go into this visit.”

It’s a lesson Katz has taken to heart in her own family medicine practice, where she cares for patients from infancy to age 105. “People look forward to this visit,” she said. “They made plans for this visit. They have things they’ve been waiting to talk about for months. These visits mean a lot.”

This realization drives Katz to create the best possible experience for patients from the moment they step into her office — she prizes her top-notch front-office staff — to their follow-up phone calls. “Patient experience is all-encompassing,” Katz said. “I want people to feel comfortable, and I want people to leave feeling like I care.” Patients are getting the message. “Dr. Katz is a five-star physician,” one patient shared. “She knows more about my medical history than I do! I can't over emphasize how comforting that is to me. I am fortunate to have her as my primary care physician.”

In medical school, Katz found something to love in just about every specialty, especially pediatrics and women’s health. She found she could do “a little bit of everything” in family medicine. “I love the ‘longevity relationship,’” she said, “and seeing patients go through lots of different parts of life.” Katz was in her family medicine residency training during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I came into medicine at this time when everyone was burned out,” she said. “It made me value the importance of the patient and family experience.” She recognized that same value at ChristianaCare, where doctors are given more time to spend with patients. “If you have 10 minutes with someone,” she said, “you can’t practice good medicine.” Katz uses a motivational interviewing technique with patients, asking, “Why does your health matter to you?” Their answers — to see their children grow up, to meet an ambitious exercise goal, to see the world — help Katz zero in on patient priorities. “Their health matters, so they can keep doing the things they love,” she said.

When Sophie Saab moved with her husband and young son from France to Delaware in 2023, she struggled to find a family doctor. The clock was ticking — the Saabs’ second child was due soon — when she contacted Katz’s practice to ask if the doctor was taking new patients. “Everybody was warm and welcoming,” Saab recalled. Katz accepted the entire family into her patient roster. Treating both adults and children takes unique knowledge and skill, Saab said. “I trained as a family physician myself,” she added, “so my standards are pretty high.” Katz has proven a crucial partner to the family since Saab’s five-year-old son was diagnosed with a chronic health challenge last year. “I completely trust her every time she recommends a specialist,” Saab said. “She always finds a good fit and she’s always insightful. Those are great qualities in any physician, but especially in family medicine.” Since Katz knows every member of the Saab family, she understands how one person’s health challenge can impact others. Katz is monitoring Saab’s now two-year-old daughter for signs of the same condition. “She’s with us for the long run,” Saab said. “We’re so happy to have found a family physician like her.”