Biography

Originally from San Diego, I ventured to the East Coast to earn my undergraduate degree in biology at Harvard College. I returned to California to complete both medical school and orthopedic surgery residency at UC San Francisco. After residency, I did a fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, followed by a fellowship in pediatric hand and upper extremity surgery at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas. I practiced as an attending surgeon back at UC San Francisco prior to joining Kaiser Permanente in 2016. I am thrilled to be back in my hometown, providing high-quality hand and upper extremity care for my fellow San Diegans.

 

Since joining Kaiser Permanente, I have served as physician in charge for the Garfield Medical Offices, been a member of the Orthopedic Department leadership team, and received the Kaiser Permanente Innovation Award for supporting the development of a clinic-based minor procedure room. I am also passionate about orthopedic research and have authored over 40 scientific publications, abstracts, and book chapters. I stay up to date on current research as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Hand Surgery and through my involvement in the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the Pediatric Hand Study Group.

About my practice

My focus is on the evaluation and treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions affecting adults and children, including acute sports- and work-related trauma, peripheral nerve injury and compression neuropathy, tendon and ligament disorders, arthritis, post-traumatic deformity and instability, brachial plexus birth palsy, and congenital upper extremity differences. I listen to members to understand their specific challenges and needs so I can offer the treatment plan that fits them best.

How I thrive

My favorite quote, by Isak Dinesen, embodies how I thrive: "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." I love to be outdoors and to be active, especially in or near the ocean. Having run varsity track in high school and college, I still enjoy running daily. Adventure travel and global exploration are my other passions. Experiencing different ecosystems and cultures is fascinating and gives me a broader life perspective.