About my practice

I’ve always loved the sciences, biology in particular. It fascinated me to learn how the body functioned and how to fix it when something goes wrong. Medicine allows the physician to use that basic knowledge to help people heal, making it the right career choice for me. 

Because infections affect all parts of the body, the infectious diseases specialist must have extensive knowledge of general medicine. This appealed to me and was one of the reasons I chose this specialty. My other professional interest is medical education.

I gave two poster presentations at a meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, one on needle stick accidents and one on lung infection. I’ve also done research on bodily fluid exposure that was published in the American Journal of Infection Control, and a research article I wrote on differences in pelvic anatomy was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

To stay up-to-date in medicine, I subscribe to professional journals and receive medical news notifications. I also attend academic conferences and take part in continuing medical education programs.

A number of years ago I worked with Hawaii Permanente Medical Group as a general medicine physician. I hoped to return when I completed my specialty training, and that wish has come true.

Communication is of the utmost importance. It’s essential that doctor and patient are on the same page regarding the different aspects of care, including treatment plan and expectations. I always seek to empathize with my patients and help them through their illness. My favorite times are when I see them in the clinic, recovered or greatly improved, after being discharged from the hospital.

How I thrive

To stay fit, I hike, swim, practice yoga, and dance. I also enjoy journaling, baking, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.