Dr. Terry Simpson: Cook, Scientist, Author

You probably heard about Dr. Simpson on TikTok or Instagram or Facebook.   Here are the basics:

He received his bachelors, masters, and medical degree from the University of Chicago. He has authored many scientific papers, books, and several blogs.

Originally trained as a molecular virologist, he decided he liked people better than Petri dishes. Thus, he went to medical school, then a surgical residency. His current area of research involves Culinary Medicine and the ultimate lifestyle change for people to improve their health.

Culinary Medicine

In April 2017, Dr. Simpson became a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist. The certification means he fulfilled the curriculum requirements and demonstrated evidence of comprehensive knowledge of nutrition and culinary skills. Dr. Simpson is recognized in his commitment to the highest standards of culinary medicine in patient care.

An Athabascan (Alaska Native Person)

Dr. Simpson is deeply involved in Alaska Native affairs, currently sitting on the board of the Alaska Native Regional Medical Center, and South Central Foundation, a primary care center, where he advocates for better health care for all Alaska Natives.  The primary care center they run has won many awards, most recently their second Baldrige Award, and is often cited as an example of how primary care centers should be run (during normal hours, patients can see a primary care physician within 30 minutes).

Growing up in Alaska

Born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, the salmon capital of the world (he once hated salmon – but now loves it, fresh and wild like he enjoys most things), his family goes back 10,000 years, coming to Alaska over the ice bridge on their way to Arizona for the winter.  That makes him an Alaska Native (Athabascan variety).

His grandfather came to Alaska in the 1890’s, for the gold rush.

Terry’s Parents

My dad, giving a salute to his fallen comrades at Omaha Beach Cemetery on the anniversary of D-Day

Terry’s dad was mostly raised in an orphanage in Seward (wrote a book about those experiences – Jesse Lee Home: My Home by James L Simpson). His dad rose from those humble beginnings to become the first Alaska Native with a doctorate. The constant inspiration to learn came from both parents.

James died in May of 2023, having lived independently until the end. Sharp until the last day, his wit, wisdom and love are missed.

Terry’s mom was a wizard in the kitchen, and clearly passed on her love to her son. She was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants and left the comfortable life to go with her husband to Alaska in the 1940’s, with their son, Ron. In Alaska, she had three more boys, Jimmy (died in 2006), Erick (died in 2011), and Terry.

She died in 2020 from vascular dementia, inspiring Dr. Simpson to advocate for elderly patients with dementia.

California or bust

Enjoying a surgical career in Arizona for years, he was asked to interview to be a resident doctor on a morning tv program called Daytime.

The producer had been told they needed a doctor on their show, and Dr. Simpson met @producergirl through Twitter and was hired. It was a great production – they produced a son, JJ

Now his time is spent trying to advocate for healthy living, better eating, and battling misinformation.