About Me

I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. My family is very close and has been a strong support system throughout my life. My father, who practiced medicine into his 80s, has always been an inspiration to me. Growing up, I spent many hours with my father in his otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) practice. I admired how he interacted with patients and the bonds he developed with them. I earned my medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in Louisiana. While there, I also earned a Master’s of Public Health in tropical medicine from the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. In this program, I encountered students from different cultures and international locales. This led to the opportunity to travel to Lima, Peru to work with patients who had tuberculosis and HIV. I later did my internship and residency in internal medicineat the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, followed by a fellowship in infectious disease.

About my practice

I first came to Hawaii to fill a temporary position and immediately fell in love with the culture and people of the Islands. I felt so at home here that I decided to stay. I’ve since worked in a variety of practice settings, including a county hospital and private practice, and have come to believe that it takes a team to deal with the complexities of the medical problems we face today. That’s what attracted me to the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. It’s a privilege to be working with such a dedicated group of physicians in providing care to the people of Hawaii. The rapid evolution of drugs used in the treatment of HIV and hepatitis C requires weekly reading. To keep up-to-date, I consult medical journals and exchange information with colleagues from all over the world. I’m also a member of the Infectious Disease Society. I believe that good communication with patients is imperative ¾ taking the time to sit and listen can be as important as a physical exam or any medications prescribed. It’s also important, especially in a diverse place like Hawaii, to understand and respect cultural differences among patients when devising care plans. I try to relate to what my patients are going through.

How I thrive

Living a balanced life is very important to me. When I’m not at work, I enjoy going to dinner and movies with family and friends, learning ocean sports, traveling, and experiencing new cultures.