I was born in Seattle, Washington and raised in Tucson, Arizona. I graduated from the Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University. I completed my general surgery residency at the University of Arizona and obtained fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. For me, the decision to become a physician was made at an early age, while in grade school. My father, and role model, was a Regents' Professor in neuropsychopharmacology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. I spent much of my early years at the College of Medicine hanging out in my father's lab and interacting with his physician colleagues and students. I have always had a deep desire to serve. That, combined with a strong interest in science led me to a career in medicine. As a surgeon, I appreciate the opportunity to make a diagnosis and then offer treatment options. However, I especially enjoy interacting with individuals and families during office visits and learning more about them as people, not just patients with a specific disease.