About Me

I grew up in Quito, Ecuador, and attended Universidad Central del Ecuador, one of the premier medical schools in that country. I moved to the United States after I met my now-wife, a native Oregonian, at a wedding in Quito. We took a short detour from living on the West Coast when I did a residency in family medicine and a fellowship in sports medicine at Indiana University. Although I can't remember a single moment that made me decide to be a doctor, I can't remember ever wanting to be anything else. There's even a photo of me at age five wearing a stethoscope. Maybe it's genetic; my younger sister is a doctor too.

About my practice

I have enjoyed a combined family medicine/sports medicine practice for many years but now focus on urgent care. Urgent care provides me with an opportunity to apply my breadth of experience to help a diverse set of patients with a wide range of acute conditions requiring immediate medical care. One of my favorite parts of being an urgent-care physician is educating patients on self-care at home. I am proud to work with an outstanding team of urgent-care providers at Kaiser Permanente.

How I thrive

Exercising and staying active have always been important parts of my life. When I sustained a sports-related injury and thus experienced the patient's journey through treatment and recovery, I gained a new perspective on caregiving and the vital role that a good team of providers plays. Though exercise is important in my own life, I find it equally fulfilling to help my patients either stay active or become active by giving them the tools and information they need to incorporate healthy choices and self-care into their lives. To recharge my mind and soul, I enjoy watching movies, attending comic conferences, spending time with my family, cuddling with our old sleepy dog, and making elaborate superhero costumes — including my first villain costume!