Dr. Mainster: Physician of the world

Early in his career, Harris Mainster, D.O., applied to the Peace Corps with the goal of helping people around the world who were less fortunate. He wanted to help patients at home and abroad. But the agency’s policy only accepted unmarried men and women without children. He needed to find a new way to achieve his goal.

Dr. Mainster finished medical school in 1960 at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. He joined the medical staff at Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills (then Botsford Hospital) in 1964 as a general surgeon and has been with the system ever since.

“I love being here,” Dr. Mainster said. “I love the residents, and the surgical residency is excellent.”

In 1971, a colleague of Dr. Mainster’s came to him because he knew a priest in Nicaragua who was looking for some help.

The colleague connected Dr. Mainster with the priest who arranged for him to come to the country as a visiting surgeon. Since then, Dr. Mainster has been to 48 different countries, providing care in third-world countries every summer for six weeks. He travels with his wife, Phoebe, who taught at at Wayne State University for 32 years. He believes that he certainly achieved his goal.

“My favorite place is wherever I was last,” Dr. Mainster said. “I love each place more than the last.”

His trips have brought him a host of experiences that he has translated into his own practice. Perhaps the most important thing he’s learned and something he believes will benefit other physicians is humility.

“We have the greatest health system in the world right here. We may be more expensive, but we’re certainly worth it, so it’s humbling to hear that some people don’t have medication,” Dr. Mainster said.

Dr. Mainster is a big believer in partnering with patients and their families. Being with Beaumont for over 50 years, Dr. Mainster has seen many changes in the health system, and he believes one change sticks out more than all the others.

“The Moonshot goal is a wonderful thing,” Dr. Mainster said. “Patients have more access to their families, information and their doctors. It’s the best thing Beaumont has ever done.”

When Dr. Mainster is not in the office or traveling around the world with his wife, he can be found working out daily in the gym or at the symphony. He and Phoebe have two daughters, Arlene and Jill, who are both attorneys.

We wish to thank Dr. Mainster for his inspiring career and his continued dedication to providing care to patients at home and abroad. We are proud that Dr. Mainster is a part of the Beaumont family.