Faces of Cedars-Sinai Internist Cheryl Dunnett Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Faces of Cedars-Sinai Internist Cheryl Dunnett Jul 10, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Dr. Cheryl Dunnett, applies the vigilance she's learned in the garden to tending her patients at Cedars-Sinai. Every summer, Cedars-Sinai internist Dr. Cheryl Dunnett transforms her Larchmont Village backyard into a tomato-vine jungle. All it takes is 30 pots, 90 cubic feet of soil, and a trip to Tomatomania. Cheryl L Dunnett MD General Internal Medicine Cheryl L Dunnett MD General Internal Medicine In-person & Telehealth Visits 310-248-7002 Call to Schedule Tomatomania The festival happens every year in March, and it's Dr. Dunnett's favorite event—the week she chooses her seedlings for the coming season. "I don't make plans during Tomatomania. I don't return phone calls. I'm off the grid," she says, half-joking about the nature of her obsession. Each year, she harvests more than 25 varieties: purples, yellows, reds, and greens of all shapes and sizes. In her kitchen, she turns this bounty into omelets, rustic tarts, gazpacho, and a cheesy fresh tomato sauce that she spoons over steaming noodles for a signature dish she calls "Summer Pasta" (see recipe below). Read: Faces of Cedars-Sinai: Health Educator Aja Johnson Planting seeds Dr. Dunnett took up vegetable gardening in the mid-1990s when she was working hard as medical director of the growing Cedars-Sinai Medical Group. Communing with her tomato vines brought instant tranquility. "I just loved going out there at the end of a busy day and tinkering," Dr. Dunnett says. She's especially vigilant in detect­ing bugs and caterpillars, the organic grower's nemeses. Dr. Dunnett is the kind of doctor who watches over her patients like the constant gardener she is. A physician with Cedars-Sinai for 28 years, Dr. Dunnett's passion for tomatoes is legendary at her practice; she harvests more than 25 varieties of tomatoes each season. "I love the continuity of seeing somebody year after year," she says. "Over time, I build relationships. I take care of my patients physically, but I also know what's going on with them emotionally and socially. I let them know they can trust me and talk to me." To Dr. Dunnett, it's more than just a job. "I try to advise my patients and to be a cheerleader," she says. She prepares motivational handouts on topics like changing unhealthy habits through goal-setting and the healing power of meditation. After so many years, her medical practice includes multigenerational families, from kids to their grandpar­ents, and some of those relationships have grown very close. She'll share her tomatoes with patients who reciprocate with gifts of their own homegrown produce or fresh eggs from backyard hens. Tomatoes. And taking care of her patients. "These are the things that make me happy," she says. Read: Reiki Brings Relaxation to Cedars-Sinai Patients Tags Faces of Cedars-Sinai Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics In Our Community Faces of Cedars-Sinai Patient Stories Los Angeles Behind the Scenes Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility