About Me

I don't believe in accidents. I was an 11-year-old boy who arrived in Queens, New York, with my parents in 1975, intending to return to Korea after three years. But instead, I had the chance encounter of watching a PBS series on the history of medicine. One episode was about Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, a cardiac surgeon who, among other accomplishments in his field, invented cross-circulation — the process of hooking up an infant's artery and vein to its parent's during open-heart surgery. After I saw that, I went to my mother and said, "I'm going to be a heart surgeon." I have had the blessing to be a heart surgeon. I have a passion for Spanish literature and God, and I see my job as a mission.

About my practice

The department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Kaiser Permanente Northwest is committed to providing the best care for all of our members. We do not believe that heart surgery should be a "car wash" but rather a tailored experience for each unique individual. My team is focused on working with you to maximize your health. We have allocated our resources to facilitate prompt communication and access, either by phone or email. Our entire staff works together to ensure that every step along this journey is provided with compassion, grace, and knowledge. Our team believes that we may physically touch your heart, but you are forever etched on ours.

How I thrive

I thrive with each day of my life. I do this because we never know when it will be our last. I strive to find balance between work and home. When I am not at work, I have an amazing wife and four kids who bring me so much joy and awe as they grow up and explore this magnificent world. I love to spend a weekend in Central Oregon, or at the beautiful Oregon Coast. Wherever my family is, that is where I call home, and that is where I find peace.