About Me

I was born and raised in the Lincoln Heights area of East Los Angeles. I got my bachelor’s degree from Harvey Mudd College and earned my medical degree at the Charles R. Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program (CDU). My parents consistently displayed selflessness and generosity when raising my siblings and me. My brother and sister have been there for me my entire life, giving me a priceless sense of safety. My grandmother had faith in me and encouraged me to become a physician. Going to Hawaii felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train in an innovative residency program while also serving a community in need of physicians.

About my practice

Before coming to Hawaii, I participated in the Harbor/UCLA Summer Urban Health Fellowship program, the UCLA Student-Run Homeless Clinic, the Minority Health Conference, and CDU’s Project Santa Claus.

After graduating from college with a degree in economics, I worked in banking. Although I enjoyed the work, I believed that I had another calling, and after much reflection I decided on a career in medicine. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

My goal is to be a physician who thoroughly understands the issues that bring patients to me and to make effective decisions based on that knowledge. Internal medicine encourages curiosity and taking a comprehensive view of the patient that can include complex social, emotional, and economic issues.

I think the Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Internal Medicine Residency Program is one of the most unique programs in the country, built on a foundation of high-quality primary care. The people here are welcoming and kind, and I want to give back as much as I can. I hope to work with the homeless community and to help inspire youth to become excited about science and health.

Today’s technology is terrific at keeping us up-to-date with medical research. There are electronic journals, resources that summarize journals, and guidelines that further distill those journals into practice. I love learning and find advances in medicine fascinating.

I bond with my patients by being honest, reliable, and interested. It’s a privilege for me to hear about their lives and experiences. Based on what I learn, I strive to work in partnership with them to come up with the best personalized plans for their health and well-being.

How I thrive

Going out into nature is great way to stay physically and mentally healthy. I enjoy eating good food, swimming, working out, reading, getting to know new people, and learning to play the guitar. I also love exploring Oahu and learning new things about this island!