10 Questions with Daniel Golovko, MD
The hospitalist and primary care doctor’s career soars to new heights after moving from Germany to Falmouth.
Daniel Golovko, MD, feels right at home in Falmouth.
After moving from Germany to Cape Cod this fall, Dr. Golovko found the perfect place to land with his wife and five-month-old daughter and to launch the next chapter of his career.
The board-certified internist, who is also a licensed pilot, sees similarities between Falmouth Hospital and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where he worked as an internist for the U.S. military and treated active-duty military members as well as veterans.
“They are both small facilities, all the providers know each other, and there’s a familiar feeling,” says Dr. Golovko, who was born in Texas, and spent most of his formative years in Garmisch, Germany, since his parents worked for the U.S. military.
But after working eight years as a hospitalist in Germany, Dr. Golovko and his wife started thinking about settling down somewhere in Massachusetts—maybe Boston or the Berkshires. Then one day, a recruiting email from Cape Cod Healthcare arrived in his inbox and they never looked back.
As a doctor specializing in internal medicine, Dr. Golovko has worked primarily as a hospitalist throughout his career. He continues to work as a hospitalist at Falmouth Hospital a quarter of the time. But he has taken on a new role as a primary care doctor at North Falmouth Primary Care, where he treats a variety of patients. One visit might include screening recommendations for a patient who has a strong family history of cancer or working with a patient facing vague symptoms. On another day, he could be assisting with end-of-life planning for a patient with advanced dementia or a “run of the mill” sinusitis (which, of course, can be far from run-of-the-mill for the patient, he says).
“I think the challenge of primary care is that you really have to be knowledgeable in almost all parts of medicine,” says Dr. Golovko, “and now with over a decade of experience, I feel comfortable enough to step up to that challenge.”
We recently sat down with Dr. Golovko at his office at North Falmouth Primary Care to learn more about his career, one thing people might be surprised to learn about him, his very first job and what he enjoys doing in his spare time.
1. Favorite way to start your day?
A cup of Earl Grey tea with a slice of lemon and a croissant. It’s the European in me. I also read The Economist. I used to enjoy the print versions, but I switched to reading periodicals on the iPad because the delivery takes a while.
2. What is your mantra?
To not be afraid of change or trying something new.
3. One thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I have my pilot’s license and own a small four-seater Grumman plane, which is stored in a hangar at Falmouth Airpark. I love flying around here, seeing the water and the islands. My wife and I flew all over Europe together — France, Belgium, the Swiss Alps.
4. Your very first job?
I worked on the IT help desk for the U.S. Government in Germany. I was on track to pursue a career in IT, but I decided working in healthcare would provide a more fulfilling profession.
5. Your most meaningful accomplishments?
Raising my baby girl and moving halfway around the world.
6. A perfect day off?
Good flying weather, tail winds both ways.
7. What’s one thing people might not know about you?
I like to work with my hands. I’m redoing the floors in our house. At our house in Germany, I installed new sinks and cabinetry. I really enjoy doing carpentry, but I don’t have a lot of time.
8. Anything on the horizon you are excited about?
Traveling around New England and maybe going up to Montreal. I really want to visit Acadia National Park. We also love exploring different beaches around here in the off-season, including Dennis, Mashpee, Truro.
9. Favorite TV show?
“The Expanse,” a sci-fi show.
10. The one superpower you wish you had?
It would be nice to fly without a plane!
