About Me

I was born and raised in the Midwest, earned my physician assistant degree at Des Moines University in Iowa, and happily worked in that part of the country for the next 20 years. I’ve always enjoyed warm climates, so Hawaii seemed like the right place for me. Now on Hawaii Island, I’m reminded of Iowa because of the sincerity of its people. It’s very rewarding to practice here because our patients are so grateful for the help they receive from their Kaiser Permanente providers.

About my practice

I’ve been exposed to health care and the care delivery system since I was an undergraduate student working in a trauma center laboratory. So, choosing a medical profession was an easy decision. I chose my specialty because I enjoy the diversity of patients and medical conditions seen in family practice, and also because treating patients as part of a family unit throughout their life is especially satisfying to me.

To stay current in my field and in medicine overall, I access the online resource UpToDate, attend professional conferences, read several medical journals, participate in continuing medical education programs within and outside of Kaiser Permanente, and confer with my colleagues, who are always ready to help.

The Hawaii Permanente Medical Group was an attractive place to work because it’s an established and highly regarded organization that provides ongoing education, professional advancement, and opportunities to practice up-to-date medical techniques and treatments. The modern facilities, equipment, and technology, along with the great support staff, make coming to work a pleasure.

As a health care professional, my philosophy is to provide the same high level of care that I would want for myself and my family members. I strive to be caring, respectful, informative, and attentive to each individual’s particular needs. I especially enjoy working with my patients to develop a treatment plan that’s right for them.

How I thrive

To stay in shape physically, I try to work out several days a week at the local gym, go paddle boarding, snorkeling, hiking, and exploring on this beautiful island. Outside of my clinic responsibilities, I gain inspiration from spending quality time with my family and friends, as well as volunteering with my church – feeding the homeless and helping to provide other important services to the needy in my community.