About Me

I’m happy to have this chance to introduce myself to you and tell you about my practice. I work with wonderful colleagues and members at Kaiser Permanente, and I look forward to working with you.

Biography

I am currently the area medical director and chief of staff at the Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. As area medical director and chief of staff, I am accountable for all aspects that impact member care, physician practice, and business success including quality of care, care experience, access, financial performance, leadership development, and physician support and HR. I help prepare our service area for future success through exploration and use of new innovations, technologies, and change management efforts. I was raised in Woodland Hills, California. After getting my undergraduate degree at UCLA, I went to Ohio State University Medical School in Columbus and then came back to Los Angeles for my surgical residency. I also spent time at the Institute Mutualiste Montsouris in Paris, focusing on laparoscopy and minimally invasive surgery. I joined Kaiser Permanente in 2002 and developed the first minimally invasive surgery program at Kaiser Permanente. In 2008, I developed the first robotic surgery program for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. My surgical expertise is the treatment of prostate and kidney cancers and kidney stone disease. Our comprehensive, multi-specialty group focuses on robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery.

About my practice

My main focus is to advance the field of robotic surgery and minimally invasive surgery. I’ve been the first to perform several types of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries at Kaiser Permanente. My passion is the art of surgery. Interacting with members gives me a tremendous amount of joy and satisfaction. Our minimally invasive surgical team has received numerous awards from Kaiser Permanente, including the Everyday Heroes Award.

How I thrive

I walk, take the stairs at every chance I get, eat a low-calorie, mostly plant-based diet, run (when I can), and play some tennis. I don’t smoke and I encourage members to quit smoking and start an active lifestyle all around.