Meet Viktor Novikov, M.D. –
Danville Office Family Medicine

If you’ve ever met Dr. Novikov, you would know that along with his charming accent lives the genuine, perceptive and dedicated spirit of a husband, father and physician. Although he’s quickly becoming one of Bay Valley Medical Group’s favorite family medicine physicians, few people know that his journey to Danville began 6,124 miles away in former Soviet Ukraine.

Viktor Novikov was born in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev. His mother was a teacher and both of his grandparents worked in the medical field -- his grandmother as a nurse and his grandfather as a physician. “I was raised to be a doctor,’’ says Dr. Novikov, “It was my choice and I knew that it would be something I would love to do. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have pursued it.”

Prior to enrolling into medical school, he completed a three-year nursing program, which began the last two years of high school. He worked part-time night shifts as a nurse to support himself through the first few years of medical school. Dr. Novikov dedicated six years to formal medical training and one year of a specialty internship.

As a child, Viktor Novikov enjoyed taking apart and putting together electronics, which was a precursor to the reason he wanted to pursue surgery after medical school. However, it was difficult to break into surgery, so he decided to do his internship in radiology.

In 1985, he moved to San Francisco with his wife to be closer to his father who had moved into The City a few years earlier. His wife, Yelena, an engineer, immediately found work in the East Bay while he flew to Pennsylvania for an internship at Robert Packer Hospital. For three years he commuted between California and Pennsylvania every two months. Upon his return, he joined Bay Valley Medical Group in Danville.

Dr. Novikov is a family medicine physician whose love for surgery is still instrumental in his practice. He explains, “Family medicine is a wide open specialty – I have the opportunity to perform most minor procedures including skin, joints and mouth surgeries. But what I love most about my practice is that I guide and manage my patient’s medical problems over time.” Building relationships is the most rewarding facet of his career. “When people recognize me on the street, it’s really a special feeling, because I know that I’m not just a doctor, but I’m actually part of people’s lives in a very personal and special way – it really humbles me.”

Dr. Novikov continues to be fascinated with technology and electronics. As a physician, he frequently uses his smart phone for medical drug reference applications, immunization schedules and preventive guidelines.

In his spare time, he enjoys driving up to Lake Tahoe to downhill ski and spending time with his wife and three-year-old daughter. On February 16th of this year, his wife gave birth to their second daughter, which he is very excited about. He knows that having a newborn will occupy most of his free time.

For Dr. Novikov, life is about more than medicine; it is about developing relationships and impacting the lives of others, as well as embracing his family, profession and community. Although he is still very much connected to his amazing journey to the States and his Ukrainian traditions, he now considers Danville to be his home.