This month’s Physician Spotlight has an exciting new twist!

I had the pleasure of meeting with three physicians in our community for this month’s Physician Spotlight. The Kobayashi brothers exemplify many definitions of “community" Colorado natives, Air Force Academy graduates, and physicians. Each brother, practicing in a different specialty, articulated the privilege it is to be a physician. The brothers credit their humble beginnings in Sterling, CO (GoTigers!), to their international travels in medicine, and all experiences between as opportunity to serve the needs of humanity.

Natalie Myers, MBA

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Who or what inspired you to become a physician?

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Ky Kobayashi, MD:

I think I speak for all of us. Having mentors, especially our parents, was critical to our decisions in life. Both were school teachers, and our dad's love for science influenced us. Growing up in a farming community, we were always connected to nature. Initially, I didn’t go straight into medicine—I attended the Air Force Academy as a football recruit and thought I’d become a pilot. But life changes with injuries and experiences, which led me to medicine. It was the perfect blend of science and service to our nation. Mentors like Dr. (retired Brigadier General) Hans J. Mueh and Dr. (retired Brigadier General) Orwyn "O" Sampson at the Academy were our inspiration and showed us how science applies to the real world. Medicine became a way to “pay it forward.” I know Todd and Dayton feel the same.

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What's the story for all three of you going to the Air Force Academy back-to-back? How did that work out?

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Todd Kobayashi, MD:

"Ky survived and so will I!” Actually, we come from a humble background, so even going to college was a privilege. We were fortunate to have mentors and guidance, and when the opportunity to attend the Air Force Academy came up, we were grateful. The Air Force Academy offered a unique combination of education and career opportunities. It wasn't easy, but it was one of the best decisions we ever made. We certainly had to “lean on each other” when times were hard. We are forever grateful for the incredible people we have met and the doors that were opened. We credit Senator Hank Brown for nominating us and the many people who saw potential in us. It was a challenging experience, but it shaped who we are today.

How long did you serve, and did you complete your education,

residency, and training in the military?

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Todd Kobayashi, MD:

I served a total of 28 years in the military, including four years at the Air Force Academy, four years in medical school at the military medical school in Bethesda, Maryland, and 20 years of active duty after that.

Ky Kobayashi, MD:

I retired after 20 years in the military. Both Dayton and I trained in civilian medical schools after the Air Force Academy. I went to the University of Colorado for medical school and completed my residency training in Connecticut and fellowship in upper extremity surgery in Boston. Initially, I didn't think I’d stay that long in the military. But it turned out to be a great career. Serving was one of the most meaningful parts of my life.

Dayton Kobayashi, MD:

I served 12 years of active duty to fulfill my commitment, then transitioned to the Wyoming National Guard, where I served for nine years. I went to medical school in Wisconsin and completed residency in the military in California. I finished my military career in the Guard, earning a reserve retirement instead of an active duty retirement. So, in total, I served 21 years—12 active and 9 in the Guard.

What made the three of you choose Colorado Springs as your home

base?

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Todd Kobayashi, MD:

We’re all from Colorado. Colorado Springs is a great place—it feels like "God's land." Two of us had our last duty stations here, and while my last duty station was in San Antonio, I spent four or five years as a dermatologist at the Air Force Academy. With our brothers already here and our parents in Colorado, it just made sense to come back and settle in Colorado Springs.

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Did your parents follow you to Colorado Springs, and are they here

now?

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Ky Kobayashi, MD:

Family and location are one of the biggest reasons for our return to Colorado Springs. Our mom lives here now. Our dad passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) a few years ago, which was a tough disease to fight. We are fortunate to have some of our Skoll family here in Colorado Springs. Heather is the news anchor for Channel 13. After traveling all over the world, Colorado Springs is a great place to live!

Briefly describe a peak experience from your career.

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Dayton Kobayashi, MD:

One of the highlights of my career was deploying and experiencing how the medical system operates during wartime. I deployed multiple times—before 9/11 in 2000, and then in 2006, 2008, and 2014. Being part of the Combat Air Staging Facility (CASF) was especially memorable. My role involved ensuring severely injured patients were stabilized and safely transported from the base to more definitive care, often in Germany or the U.S. Witnessing the process of caring for critically injured soldiers, including the anxiety and challenges of deployment, was both humbling and rewarding. It gave me a deep appreciation for the teamwork and dedication involved in wartime medical care.

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Ky Kobayashi, MD:

For me, there are several experiences that make medicine so rewarding, from a simple injection that relieves pain to saving a limb. Highlights in my career involve teaching residents and medical students, including my current partner, Chance Henderson, MD. It is always incredible to see new surgeons excel and know that you may have helped them on their journey. Like Dayton, I also found combat casualty care to be a career highlight. I deployed several times to combat zones and served in Iraq at the 332nd Balad Air Force Theater Hospital, which was once the busiest trauma center in the world. Working with neurosurgery, vascular surgery, general surgery, and critical care specialists was an incredible learning experience and at that time had a 96% survival rate. We were truly at the “tip of the spear” for damage control surgery. We treated everyone—American soldiers, coalition troops, Iraqi civilians, and even enemy combatants. The Critical Care Transport teams were amazing and transported injured patients to Germany and the U.S. within 24-72 hours. Those vivid memories of mass casualties and the teamwork involved are something I'll always cherish.

Todd Kobayashi, MD:

One of the highlights of my career was serving as the residency program director in San Antonio, overseeing 22 residents in one of the largest programs in the nation. Teaching was incredibly rewarding, though it required a lot of time and effort. My former residents still reach out to me, and they feel like family. Another highlight was participating in humanitarian missions. I went on four missions to Nicaragua, Bolivia, Belize, and Suriname, providing care to people in some of the poorest and most remote areas. These missions, lasting two to three weeks, were eye-opening and deeply fulfilling. They made me appreciate everything we have here and gave me a chance to make a difference in places with little to no medical care. Those experiences are among the most meaningful of my career, and I'm grateful to the military for giving me those opportunities.

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What would interest you in joining EPCMS and CMS?

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Dayton Kobayashi, MD:

For me, it's about getting to know the specialists in this area. I take care of cadets, and

some specialties, like infectious disease, rheumatology, and endocrinology, are limited

in the military system. Building relationships with local specialists allows me to know

who to contact when I need help. It's about collegiality and collaboration.

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Why do you engage with EPCMS?

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Ky Kobayashi, MD:

For me, it's about collegiality and networking—connecting with other specialties to

better care for our patients when something falls outside our expertise. It also provides

a sense of belonging. I'm still learning about the medical society, but being here helps

me understand the local medical community and how we can work together to improve

patient care.

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Todd Kobayashi, MD:

I appreciate that the El Paso County Medical Society promotes physicians and supports

our profession. It's important to have an organization that advocates for us. Additionally,

the collegiality is valuable—knowing other physicians in the area, having people to refer

to or call when needed, and building a sense of community. It's also great to socialize

and connect with others in the field.

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What advice would you give to physicians in training who are just starting out?

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Ky Kobayashi, MD:

Make sure you love what you do and are passionate about it. Be humble and always

strive to learn because medicine is constantly evolving, and complacency isn!t an

option. Focus on patient care—treat every patient like a loved one and be their

advocate. People notice when you genuinely care. Try to understand the bigger picture,

not just the immediate issue. For example, a patient with a broken wrist might need help

at home or a cardiac work up because they are passing out. Medicine is about

connecting those dots in ways that technology, like AI, never will. Stay driven, stay

passionate, and always work to improve yourself as a clinician.

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Dayton Kobayashi, MD:

Two pieces of advice:

1. Get comfortable with not knowing. In primary care, you'll encounter many situations

where you don't have all the answers. Don't let pride stop you from asking questions or

consulting colleagues. It's better to seek help and make the best decision for your

patient.

2. Take care of yourself. Practice what you preach. It's easy to get caught up in the

demands of the job and neglect your own health. Avoid distractions and bad habits, and

prioritize your well-being so you can be at your best for your patients.

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Todd Kobayashi, MD:

As a young physician, the most important thing is to focus on the patient in front of you.

When you're in the room with a patient, give them your full attention and care. If you

truly care about your patient, you!ll always do the right thing—whether that's ordering a

test, consulting a specialist, or even deciding that doing nothing is the best course of

action. Many times, patients just need someone to listen to them. Beyond patient care,

take care of yourself. Medicine is demanding, and it's easy to lose sight of your own

health and family. Prioritize your well-being so you can continue to care for others

effectively.

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What do you all enjoy doing outside of medicine?

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Dayton Kobayashi, MD:

I have a few hobbies I really enjoy. I love hunting, fly fishing, and fixing things—whether

it's something around the house or a car. I spend a lot of time on YouTube figuring out

how to fix things, and I find it really satisfying.

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Ky Kobayashi, MD:

Having hobbies outside of medicine is critical for me. I enjoy spending time with my

family and friends…. hunting, fishing, and mountain bike riding. I have really enjoyed

meeting the community playing pickleball and racquetball. At this stage in life, family

time and socializing mean a lot to me. Staying active and healthy through hobbies is

important, and I think those priorities evolve as we mature.

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Todd Kobayashi, MD:

I love the outdoors, which is one of the reasons I love Colorado. Fly fishing with my

brothers is one of my most cherished activities. I also enjoy camping with my family—it's

a chance to unplug, go somewhere with no cell service, and just enjoy being together.

Another hobby I share with my son is working on our four-wheel drive vehicles. He has

a 2010 Toyota Tacoma, and we!ve done a lot of modifications together, like adding a lift,

bigger tires, and bumpers. I have a Jeep, and we love going four-wheeling in the

mountains, exploring places where no one else is. It's a great way to connect with my

son and one of my favorite pastimes.

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Anything else you'd like to add in closing?

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Ky Kobayashi, MD:

Medicine is a privilege. People trust you, confide in you, and allow you to care for them,

which is sacred. It's easy to lose sight of that, but the thought of serving others is one of

the best things we can do as humans. I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to help

people, especially seeing them on their worst days and helping them get back to their

active life. It's incredibly rewarding, and I hope future generations will continue to

improve our ability to better care for the patient.

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Todd Kobayashi, MD:

I agree—taking care of patients is so rewarding. In my specialty, I feel like I can help

almost every patient who comes in, and it's fulfilling to see them leave feeling better or

to see their problem resolved. One of my favorite moments is when a patient simply

says, "Thank you.” That appreciation makes my day and reminds me why I do this

work.

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Dayton Kobayashi, MD:

I would add that before there was surgery or medicine, the most important thing we had

as humans was presence. Just being there, listening, and caring is huge. People

confide in us and share things they wouldn't tell anyone else. That trust and connection

are at the heart of what makes being a physician so meaningful.

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