Dr. Joseph Larriviere, 32
Doctor of Internal Medicine, The Baton Rouge Clinic
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Becoming a partner at The Baton Rouge Clinic at the age of 32.
- Building a patient base of 3,500 in only three years.
- Being named “most outstanding teacher” in graduating residency class.
COMMUNITY:
Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and is active with the Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation, Most Blessed Sacrament Men’s Club and Catholic High School Men’s Club.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY
Tuesdays with Morrie
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
An architect
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
It was a summer job at age 17. I worked at the golf course at Fairwood Country Club in Baton Rouge. I learned the value of a paycheck and an understanding of taxes.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
I had a side gig while in residency of selling Vineyard Vines ties and sports memorabilia on eBay.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
I usually work through lunch. On the rare occasion I get to slip away, you will find me at Sushi Yama with a spicy tuna roll.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Marrying my life-long crush since the fourth grade and becoming a father of four.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
My first life saved during my intern year.
WHAT GIVES YOU PROFESSIONAL INSPIRATION?
My dad. He passed tragically earlier this year. I think about him anytime I make a professional decision no matter how big or small, and I strive to make him proud in all areas of my life.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
Facebook only. I rarely post anything. I just enjoy keeping up with what old friends are up to these days.
HOW MANY TEXT MESSAGES DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
Maybe five text messages and about 40 patient correspondence emails per day.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET (IN %) BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
15%
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
Always 0
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
Waze
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
Electronic medical records
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
WebMD
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
4:50 a.m. (plus two to four snoozes).
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
Breakfast at my desk
THE SAYING GOESL “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
The rising cost of healthcare has been exponential and unsustainable. I remain committed to providing the highest quality care at a low cost. I care about my patients’ financial health almost as much as their physical and emotional health. I am part of the Health Leaders Network which is a statewide collaboration of physicians committed to lowering the cost of care while increasing the quality of care that patients receive.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP?”
When my first student loan payment came due.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
My wife and I got engaged in Rome and then we hopped on a Mediterranean cruise.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
My first guitar at 13. Music would become a big part of my life. I would go on to major in music in college before going to medical school.
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
Any singing ability whatsoever. I can play several instruments but cannot sing worth a lick.
WHAT IS THE NICKNAME YOUR FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
Joe La
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?
When I was 9, I thought practicing in the driveway with my Hakeem Olajuwon autographed basketball would help me make more shots. Turns out it did not, and all I did was scuff up a great piece of memorabilia.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
My patients who are World War II veterans. I have several patients who as young 14 or 15 years old, lied about their age claiming to be 18 so they could enlist and join the war effort. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.
WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Michael Bluth – “Arrested Development”
FAVORITE DRINK?
Vodka rocks extra dirty
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Tie between Elton John and Billy Joel.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
“Forrest Gump”
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Steve Carell
IF YOU COULD BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Surround yourself with the people you love and don’t waste time trying to impress people you don’t even like.
PETS?
With four kids under the age of 5, it’s basically a zoo.
HOBBIES?
Golfing, boating, travelling, playing guitar and piano, snowboarding, cooking/grilling/boiling, and following my favorite sports teams.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
Holding my firstborn baby girl for the first time.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
I enjoy the business side of medicine. I plan to pursue leadership roles in healthcare in the coming years, whether it be serving on the board of directors, department chairman, medical director or clinic president. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
The exodus of Louisiana’s best and brightest to other states.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
In time, hard work beats out superior talent or intellect.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Absolutely. My wife and I both grew up here. It’s a great place to raise a family.
IF NAMED KING FOR A DAY, WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU WOULD MAKE IN BATON ROUGE?
I would decree the construction of another bridge that would connect south Baton Rouge with all of the refineries across the river. I think that would go a long way in alleviating some of our traffic.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN BATON ROUGE; WHAT WORKS AND WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT?
Our quality of life is fantastic. We have a great cost of living, amazing food, plenty of entertainment, major universities, primetime sporting events and much more. I think our traffic problem and lack of strong public education hold us back. These two issues may deter future business development, but all in all, Baton Rouge is moving in the right direction and at an impressive trajectory.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
To attend the championship game of most every sport (think Super Bowl, World Series, etc.), visit all 50 states and walk my two daughters down the aisle.
See the entire 2017 Forty under 40 class
