About Me

Welcome to my Web page. I am board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. I’m also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology, and on the Kaiser Permanente Quality Management Committee.

Biography

I grew up in New Mexico. I developed my interest in medicine largely because of my mother, who was a nurse. I received my undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and then attended Ohio State University for medical school—go, Bucks! After completing my residency and fellowship, but before joining Kaiser Permanente, I practiced general surgery and surgical oncology at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica. I’m married to my best friend—an awesome and incredible woman! Together we enjoy training for triathlons and traveling.

About my practice

One of the best things about working at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center is that my colleagues in the Department of General Surgery are all fantastic, and provide an environment where we challenge one another and help each other to be the best that we can be. General surgery involves taking care of all types of members, and covers problems as simple as a hernia to more complicated conditions like cancer. My special interest is in surgical oncology, which encompasses the surgical care of members with cancer. I have an active interest in members with liver and gastrointestinal malignancies, as well as melanoma, sarcomas, and breast cancer.

How I thrive

My wife and I thrive by exercising together—some say we take it to an extreme! We’ve participated in races and triathlons of all distances—including the Boston Marathon and Ironman. A huge amount of training is required to be an Ironman, which includes completing a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon. This endurance makes me mentally and physically strong, and I believe this carries over to my practice of surgery. I’m proud to have finished Ironman Florida 2012 in 9 hours and 58 minutes. A sub–10-hour Ironman finish was a hard-earned milestone for me. I’m most proud of my wife, who is the truly accomplished athlete in our family. She’s always coming home from races with trophies! In 2013, we both did Ironman Hawaii, and crossed the finish line together—awesome! I also enjoy football, NASCAR, and traveling with my wife—including visiting our families in New Mexico and Colorado.