Adrienne Salerno, MD
Director
Vanguard Medical Group
“Family medicine is about making the difference in people’s lives every single day.”
Dr. Adrienne Salerno has always wanted to be a doctor. “I can’t remember a time when I wanted to be anything else,” she said. “I enjoy helping people.”
She started out her career in surgery, but found that she wanted more of a continuous, long-term relationship with her patients. Family medicine provided that connection. At Vanguard, she enjoys the diversity of being able to treat everyone from newborns to geriatrics. Often, her patients include various members of the same family.
“When I’m able to treat the whole family, it gives me the full perspective of understanding for the patient,” she said. “It’s easier to see the bigger picture, and that helps me make better decisions.” Toward that end, Dr. Salerno also makes it a point to follow her patients from office visits to hospitals or rehab, as needed. “You can see the difference in care delivered by someone who doesn’t know the patient as well,” she said. “It allows us to make sure that nothing slips through the cracks with these transitions.” Dr. Salerno also utilizes her surgical background when minor cosmetic dermatologic procedures are needed, from cyst removal and abscess drainage to complex laceration repair. “I also perform ear lobe laceration repair,” she noted. “That’s pretty unique for most primary care offices but we’re able to offer it right in the office.”
She has served on multiple committees at Vanguard including the Womens Health Committee, Vaccine Committee, Professional Standard and Ethics Committee and Stewardship Committee. She has also lead multiple team projects including Team Based Care, and is currently leading the Diabetic Education Committee. She is active in daily hospital rounds, nursing home rounds as well as medical director of one of the nursing homes in addition to her office outpatient practice.
When not working, Dr. Salerno enjoys exercising and cooking. She also likes to spend time with her husband and children.