About Me

I moved to the United States in 1992 for postgraduate specialty training after completing medical school in Athens, Greece. After three years of vigorous training at the State University of New York in Buffalo, quite a few epic snowstorms and many new friendships, I moved to Boston to do a clinical fellowship in medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School). In 1996 -- after deciding I wanted to become a citizen of this fascinating country -- I moved on to North Carolina to practice internal medicine. I joined Kaiser Permanente in Portland in the summer of 2005, following many years of practice at a large private medical group in Eastern North Carolina.

About my practice

I went into medicine intrigued by the complex biology of the human body, but what gives me the most satisfaction today is the opportunity to work with my patients to keep them healthy, and if necessary arrive at a diagnosis and a good plan to restore their health and well-being. I like to use good judgment to sort out conditions that need aggressive medical or surgical therapy or referrals. I treat the rest of the problems with watchful waiting and reinforcement of good habits, healthy diet, exercise and reassurance. I aspire to know my patients as whole persons and not as a collection of "problems". Listening carefully and being in the moment in the examining room are priorities of mine.

How I thrive

I have a wonderful partner and a rather opinionated Lhasa Apso that keep me balanced outside work. When I'm not working I travel a lot, and skiing is a recent passion of mine. You will often find me at symphony halls and opera houses (I have been known to plan long weekends in other cities just to catch a performance.) If I hadn't gone into medicine, I think I'd have made a good airline pilot! I still look out the window every time I fly and love the view of all the iconic Oregon and Washington mountains from up high. I cannot get enough of Portland's great food scene, and cooking for friends is something I thoroughly enjoy. My favorite beers are craft-brewed IPAs, and I love a good Cabernet -- everything in moderation, of course!