About Me

I spent most of my formative years in the Midwest, where I was born and raised. I worked at my dad's gas stations every summer since I was 13. Army scholarships paid for my college and medical school, which led to an exciting 23-year military career prior to working at Kaiser Permanente. My wife is a local girl from Honolulu and I have two children in college pursuing biology degrees. My brother is a urologist in Texas and was also an Army colonel, while my father was a Marine who served in the Korean War. My family valued a strong work ethic, commitment, family, and service to others. This influence and my enjoyment of science seemed to naturally lead to a career in medicine.

About my practice

I enjoy listening to patients, performing a thorough evaluation, and helping to “fix” their problems or improve their life in some way. As a rheumatologist, I appreciate being able to evaluate the whole patient. I like the personal nature of the patient-physician interaction and relationship. I value the trust my patients place in me to treat their condition and help restore their health. I feel it is important that physicians not only be competent and well-trained, but that we serve as positive role models for our patients. I truly enjoy working with the talented providers here who are able to work in a friendly and collegial atmosphere. I’m an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, and a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology. I’ve authored more than 50 publications, including srticles in Arthritis & Rheumatism, the Journal of Rheumatology, the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, Chest, and the Hawaii Medical Journal.

How I thrive

I stay fit by exercising, golfing, and walking my dog. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my wife, and in church activities.