About Me

I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Pennsylvania, where I attended Hershey High School. I later lived in California and then spent nine years in North Carolina just before coming to Hawaii. I wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, and my parents encouraged and supported me every step of the way.

I went to Pennsylvania State University for my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and to the Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in California for my medical degree. I did my residency at the Cabarrus Family Medicine Residency in North Carolina, where I was chief resident, and I’m now board certified in family medicine.

I love everything about the islands including the sunshine and warm weather, the outdoor living, the friendly people, and the rich culture. My husband had never been to Oahu and gave up his career to come to Hawaii with me, a move that we definitely don’t regret!

About my practice

When I was young, my father took me to Venezuela on a mission. I remember coming home feeling determined to do whatever I could to help others. To this day I participate in international medical outreach programs. I've been to Uganda and the Dominican Republic and look forward to going on similar trips in the future. I chose inpatient hospital medicine for my specialty because of the great satisfaction I feel when helping people with acute illnesses get better.

To keep up with the most up-to-date medical research, I read professional journals in my field and in general medicine, access online resources such as UpToDate, attend medical education conferences, and consult my colleagues.

Kaiser Permanente is a fantastic place to work. I love the philosophy of care here, because I know that patients will always come first. In addition, the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group promotes preventive medicine and healthy living, which is very much in line with my own approach to care. I also greatly appreciate the work/life balance this organization provides.

The most rewarding moments of my practice are when I can reassure and give hope to someone who’s seriously ill. As a physician, I also try to ensure that people are educated about the importance of proper diet, physical activity, and stress management in order to maintain their health going forward.

How I thrive

In my free time I go surfing, running, and hiking with my dog to stay in shape. Most of all, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. My husband and I love to travel to other countries and experience different ways of life.