Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.
Adolescent Specialist | Adolescent Medicine
832 Queen Street Southington Connecticut, 06489Rating
4/5
About
I am continuing to serve as a Practicing Internal Medicine Physician. The central focus of my care is the individual. I aim to listen, to understand, to sort out the active concerns of each individual and to address each. I will actively address any expressed and discovered concern, and will make referrals as needed. My care aims to be proactive and preventative - to provide screening and advice and counsel regarding health maintenance and wellness achievement. My care also will address acute illnesses and established chronic ailments and health concerns. And my care shall embrace and address complex and high risk burdens of illness. My Calling as Physician is to provide -- and deliver -- personalized care that carefully considers the individual's burden of illnesses, the health changes that she or he is experiencing, and then aiming to carefully provide effective remediation. I am to actively consider special concerns and fears and needs as they unfold. It is with humility that I serve in this chapter of my Vocation -- truly taking time to listen, to hear, to respond, to show empathy, and to make deeply considered and personalized clinical decisions. I pledge to serve carefully and tenderly, expressing value, concerns, hopes, counsel and education to individuals as I deliver particulars of clinical care.
I am blessed with good health myself. I have served for over 30 years as Teaching Physician in three University Medical Centers. My teaching harmonized well with my clinical service and patient care during these years. I served both in outpatient clinics and on hospital units, supervising students and residents in concert with direct care responsibilities. These years were fulfilling. I aimed to deliver best care to patients - and I aimed to model best care as well. I regularly talked to students and residents about the special "Calling" of a physician - the privilege, the responsibilities, the duties, and the opportunities to make a difference to individuals and families. I received several teaching awards over these years, and I received several "Model Physician Awards" as well. These years were filled with gratification and positive relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed clinical teaching and I poured my heart and mind and soul into each moment. I served as Associate and then Full Professor of Medicine at Yale Medical School from 1992 to 2014. During these years, I also served as "Clinical Advisor" to the Chairman of Medicine and I serve as "Advisor" to National Medicare Dialysis Oversight Committee. I also served as Medical Director of Dialysis at Yale from 1994 to 2014 and as Regional Medical Director of Dialysis for two National Dialysis Corporations from 2001 through 2006. In these Medical Director of Dialysis Roles, I was responsible for Quality Assurance and Dialysis Safety in local dialysis clinics in New Haven, CT and I also served as a Regional Educator regarding Quality Assurance for hundreds of dialysis clinic leaders across 30 states in Eastern U.S. In this capacity, I lead the development of several Clinical Pathways which were implemented within the operations of these dialysis clinics and which resulted in high quality care and excellent clinical outcomes.
In 2014, I retired from Yale University Professorship as Tenured Professor Emeritus - - and I transitioned to serving individuals and families in Skilled Nursing Facilities, providing General Medical care to many persons with various chronic illnesses. In this context, I had the capacity to really take time with individuals --- to sit and listen, to hear and to understand their concerns, and to deliver personalized care like never before. In this, I realized my Deepest Calling as a Physician -- primary, holistic care of individuals in their own special contexts, delving deeply into their unique social contexts, knowing deeply their burdens of chronic illnesses, responding promptly to any acute health change that they were experiencing, and addressing their various problems and fears. I took this step in my career journey so that my wife and I could live in a small town in northern Connecticut where our daughter and our grandchildren lived, so that we could help with their care and familly needs. This step was very positive.
In 2015, I transitioned to a Community Health Clinic setting, where I served as Primary Care Physician addressing multiple individuals' needs and concerns. It is with humility that I served in this chapter of my "Vocation" -- truly taking time to listen, to hear, to speak, to show empathy, and to make deeply considered, and personalized clinical decisions - and aiming to catalyze positive change in each person's health and sense of well-being. I served as Chief Medical Officer for the CHC into 2017, then transitioned to a Private Practice Group - DOCS of Connecticut.
Through all, I have truly hoped to be a light that shines, just enough to give warmth and illumination and to be a kindling source for others' whose light is dimming or flickering. I have hoped and continue to hope to confer a true sense of genuine caring to each person that I serve - - caring for the person but also caring about the person -- recognizing and serving within their specific social context.
Serving in this way, serving carefully as a caring physician, has been and is my Calling. I intend to serve thusly as long as God wills and by His Strength and Wisdom.
Professional Honors and Recognition:
Apr 1972 Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Denison University
Sep 1972 Teaching Fellow, Denison University
Jun 1976 Lange Award: "Clinical Excellence". Yale
May 1977 Alpha Omega Alpha, Yale
Jun 1977 Berniker Award: "Most exemplary of The Oath of Hippocrates and Maimonides Prayer" Yale
Jun 1979 Kushlan Award: "For clinical excellence and contributing the most to patient care" Yale
Jul 1983 National Kidney Foundation, Research Fellowship Award, Yale
Jun 1985 Duke University "Special Recognition for Teaching"
Jun 1988 "Teacher of the Year" Brown University
Jun 1988 "Model Physician Award" Brown University
Jun 1989 "Senior Class Outstanding Teacher Award" Brown University
Jun 1989 "Teacher of the Year", Miriam Hospital, Brown University
Jun 1990 "Model Physician Award", Miriam Hospital, Brown University
Jun 1990 "1990 Senior Citation: Outstanding Physician and Teacher" Brown University
Jun 1991 "Senior Class Outstanding Teacher Award", Brown University
Jun 1991 "Model Physician Award", Miriam Hospital, Brown University
Jun 1992 "Teacher of the Year", Miriam Hospital, Brown University
Jun 1993 "Teacher of the Year", Yale Internal Medicine
Jun 1993 "Howard M. Spiro Teaching Award", Yale University Affiliated Hospitals
Sep 1997 "Didactic Professor Award", Yale University Physician Associate Program
Sep 2009 "Didactic Professor Award", Yale University Physician Associate Program
Jun 2011 "Emergency Medicine Resident Appreciation Award", Yale Emergency Medicine
Oct 2012 "DaVita Shining Star Award" -- for service excellence in their dialysis clinics
Sep 2013 "Branford-DaVita Service Appreciation Award"
Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.'s Videos
Education and Training
MD at Yale School of Medicine
Yale New Haven Hospital Internal Medicine Residency 1980
Yale University Fellowship Nephrology Metabolism 1984
Board Certification
American Board of Internal Medicine
Nephrology (Internal Medicine)
Provider Details
Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.'s Expert Contributions
Knowing All About Sugar: Blood Vessel and Tissue Injuries Develop When Blood Glucose Concentrations Circulate Above Normal Even For A Short Time: Part 2 of the Diabetic Story
Glucose is the essential energy molecule that our body's tissues utilize. Glucose exists in fruits and vegetables and grains, either as a simple sugar or as a structural component of plant starches and complex fiber carbohydrates. All carbohydrates must be broken down to glucose and fructose in our...
Knowing All About Sugar: Essential for Life but Potentially Unhealthy: Part 1 of the Diabetic Story
Sugar is the familiar and common name for sucrose, a naturally occurring substance in nature that is formed in plants from the combination of water absorbed from soil and carbon dioxide absorbed from the air. Yes, sugar is composed simply of water and carbon dioxide. Sucrose is a complex sugar...
Vitamin K2: A Little Known Vitamin That We Now Know Reverses and Prevents Artery Calcification and Promotes Bone Matrix Calcification
A “vitamin” is a nutrient essential for life. We are well-acquainted with most vitamins, such as vitamin A, the B-vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and E. Each has a well-known and essential role in support of vital tissue functions, and each must be ingested from particular food sources, with the...
Why Delve Deeply into Our Daily Nutrition? Because we Become what we Eat!
Our daily food and beverage intake may be a matter of deep thought and careful selection. Or, our daily food and beverage intake may be a matter simply of convenience, routine, habit, and taste. What has become clear from many years of impressive scientific research is that daily nutrient flows...
Is puking without any other health concern serious?
Hello - Responding to your question and concern about repeated throw up - - A sudden onset of such a problem is unusual - you are right to wonder why -- And to have no other symptoms is also unusual as well - - So, possibilities include: 1. A partial obstruction in your upper GI tract - 1. Locations that are more common are: 1. Stomach - duodenum junction - - where strictures can occur without much pain 2. Esophageal - stomach junction - - where strictures can also occur without much pain 3. A "pouch" at the end of the esophagus, which is a wall-weakness - and food gets "stuck" - then upchucked - 4. Upper small bowel - from forming ulcer or from a growth - - 2. Then, we would worry about a change in your smooth muscle functions of the esophagus and/or stomach - - 1. Esophagus can become weak - and soft - and bloated - and dilated - and not propel food down - - 2. Stomach muscle can also become weak - and soft and bloated - called gastroparesis - - 3. The causes vary - - diabetes/hiatal hernia/chronic reflux of acid - - 4. And, rarely - some diseases do produce lining changes of the stomach - - and gastroparesis 3. Common causes with other symptoms include: 1. Acid reflux - heartburn - vomiting 2. Stomach gastritis from acid - vomiting 3. Duodenal ulcer from acid - vomiting 4. Gall stones and bile duct inflammation - vomiting 5. Pancreatitis - vomiting 6. These typically have other symptoms - - pain, discomfort, spasms - - 7. Irritable bowel syndrome - which features discomfort and rare vomiting - and irregular BM - 8. Inflammatory bowel syndrome - which only rarely features vomiting 4. Rare causes 1. Growths - benign tumors or malignant tumors 2. Intestinal blockage from adhesions - 3. Twisted intestine - volvulus 4. Constipation - lower down - - - stomach weakens - - 5. Central Nervous System changes - - inner ear changes - - vertigo - - postural vertigo - Hoping this helps - - Next steps are important - - either wait it out - - see if resolution happens - - or think these through - and have testing done to evaluate - - Dr. Rex M READ MORE
Can I take BP, cholesterol and uric acid tablets together?
Good evening, These medicines that you mention will not clash and will not counter each other. Yes, you may take them all at the same time. My advice - Be sure to take each with fluid. It is best also to have a bit of food - just enough to ease your stomach - taking meds on a completely empty stomach can be a reason for a nausea response. So - about 4 oz with each pill - and some gentle food, like crackers, or pudding or yogurt. Best regards, Rex M READ MORE
When to go in?
You need a professional clinical evaluation - this can be done via telephone, telemedicine, such as Call-a-Doc, or go into a walk in center - it seems that you are ailing and need help to get back into good health. READ MORE
When should I see a geriatrician?
Thank you for asking this question. It is an important consideration. First, realize that Geriatricians are Internal Medicine Physicians who have additional and focused training and ongoing education in the care of persons over the age of 65 years old. A Geriatrician can discern and can assess the special needs of an older person - and manage them expertly. READ MORE
No peristalsis, floppy colon- what can help?
Thank you for asking this question to me - - Floppy Colon is also called "Redundant Colon." The average colon is roughly 45 to 60 inches in length. A Floppy Colon or a Redundant Colon (same) refers to an abnormally long colon. When this condition exists, the extra length is usually in the final section of the colon - referred to as our descending colon. The descending colon is typically less than 24 inches in length, but it can develop additional loops and even twists.The descending colon is where stool is "stored" awaiting final evacuation. The descending colon is the section of our colon that is most prone to develop diverticulosis - which refers to small pouches in the wall of this part of the colon - and these small pouches can be a place where stool sits for a long time and hardens. The descending colon has the purpose and function to absorb water from our "stool" so that evacuation is a "formed" stool. Stool moves through the colon as a gravy form in the beginning of the colon and then water is absorbed out of the stool slowly as the stool moves along. The stool stays gravy form until it enters the descending colon - normally - and then firms as it passes through and enters the sigmoid, just prior to evacuation. Some persons never experience symptoms from a longer floppy descending colon - others do experience constipation, bloating, even crampy discomforts if the stool sits in this colon portion for too long - and then the stool becomes larger, bigger, longer, hard, and dry - and may not pass. Then the colon enlarges even further - and this is when diverticula form - as the colon squeezes to pass - the stool does not move much. Actual cause of this condition includes poor diet habits, inactivity, low fiber in one's diet, low liquid intake, and the social habit of "holding". READ MORE
Do blood pressure medications affect male fertility?
Lisinopril does not adversely affect male fertility. Lisinopril does not adversely affect sperm motility. Lisinopril does not cause or promote sperm mutations. Lisinopril does not promote or cause any birth defects in males. Lisinopril is one BP med in a family called ACE inhibitors. For any male, there is no infertility risk nor birth defect risk associated with any ACE inhibitor. The lisinopril is not deposited in semen and does not enter the female at all, and the male is unaffected. And, no other BP medication has fertility compromise for the man. Additionally, there is no chance that Lisinopril would affect or compromise fetal development if the baby is conceived while the man is taking the medication - - only a small risk exists if the woman is actually taking the medication daily, and the medicine has sustained blood levels in her circulation. This is not relevant for the man - he delivers no risk to the woman or to any fetus, be assured. Rex Mahnensmith, MD READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of Medicine- Pericarditis associated with renal failure: evolution and management.
- Hypercalcemia, hypernatremia, and reversible renal insufficiency.
- A quality improvement model for optimizing care of the diabetic end-stage renal
- Advances in nephrology: a selected review of progress in care of the patient with renal failure.
- Urgent-start peritoneal dialysis: what are the problems and their solutions?
- Novel treatments of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
- Diabetic nephropathy: a comprehensive approach.
- A middle-aged woman with back and flank pain.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy in chronic hemodialysis patients:
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole: hyperkalemia is an important complication regardless of dose.
- Dysuria in an elderly man with cardiomyopathy.
- Bone marrow transplant nephropathy: a case report and review of the literature.
- Hyperkalemia in the elderly: drugs exacerbate impaired potassium homeostasis.
- Images in clinical medicine. Malignant hypertension.
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Professor, Duke University, Brown University, Yale University -
Awards
- Teacher of the Year.Brown Univ.1988, '89, '90, '91, '92
- Outstanding Teacher. Yale Univ. 1993, '97, 2009, 2011
- Model Physician. Miriam Hosp. 1988, '90, '91
- Dialysis Medical Director Excellence. 2011, 2013
- Outstanding Teacher. Duke U. 1985
- Leading Physicians of the World 2016 International Association of Health Care Practitioners
- Berniker Award - Most Exemplary of Prayer of Maimonides 1977 Yale U
- Kushlan Award - Best Bedside Manner and Care 1978 Yale NH Hospital
- Chief Resident 1980 Yale U Dept of Medicine
- Who's Who Honorary 2017 Continental Who's Who
- Marquis Who's Who 2022 Marquis Who's Who
- Patient Preferred Award 2021 Patient Preferred Physicians
Professional Memberships
- American Medical Association
- American Society of Nephrology
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- Compassion International Aid Society
- Send International Missions
- CRU Campus Missions
- Ligonier Ministries
- HAVEN
- ASPCA
- Christ Community Church in Collinsville
- Samaritans' Purse
- World Vision
Internships
- Yale New Haven Hospital Internal Medicine
Fellowships
- Yale University Nephology
Professional Society Memberships
- AMA and ASN
Favorite professional publications
- JAMA
Areas of research
Nutritional Care of the Person with Chronic Kidney Disease
Optimizing Diabetic Control
Nutritional Care of Polycystic Kidney Condition.
Pharmacologic Care of Polycystic Kidney Condition.
Impact of Clinical Pathways on Promoting Quality Improvement in Clinic Settings
Dr. Rex L. Mahnensmith, M.D.'s Practice location
DOCS Medical Group
832 Queen Street -Southington, Connecticut 06489Get Direction
DOCS Medical Group
279 Chase Avenue -Waterbury, Connecticut 06704Get Direction
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Nearby Providers
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Dr. Arthur T. Blumer M.D.340 Main St Southington Connecticut 06489![]()
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