Salir
About Me
As a child growing up in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, I envisioned that I would someday return home to serve the community. Little did I know that I would have the privilege to return as a physician. At an early age, I watched my mother cope with a rare vascular disease and yet manage to live a very productive life. This inspired me to seek a profession where I would be able to help others, and led to my decision to pursue medicine.
About my practice
In medical school, I found that my interest centered on surgery. I enjoyed the “hands on” work and the ability to physically solve the patient’s medical problem. Although the surgery rotations were the hardest, with the longest hours and most grueling work, I found that surgery was the most fulfilling for me. Joining Hawaii Permanente Medical Group was the best professional decision I have made. We have a great medical group with fantastic colleagues, and this enables us to offer the highest level of medical care to our patients. Through partnering with my patients, I am able to put the patient at the center of care and offer care options that best fit their needs. I especially enjoy the personal nature of the physician–patient interaction. As a Kona resident, it is always a pleasure to hear about “old Hawaii” from those who have lived here for so many years. I have the privilege of serving as the President of the American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific Board of Directors and as Co-Director of the West Hawaii Cancer Symposium. I am an Assistant Clinical Professor in Surgery at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, a Fellow of the American Colleges of Surgeons, and a member of the Pacific Coast Surgical Association and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. I am invested in giving back to the community that has offered me so much over the years. I am Director of the Onizuka Memorial Committee, which co-sponsors an annual Space Science Day in Hilo that is designed to get young people excited about science and technology.
How I thrive
In my time off, I enjoy playing golf, sharing a nice dinner with family and friends, volunteering in my community, traveling to meetings on the Mainland, and taking various golf trips. My favorite is an annual golf trip to Reno that began in 1995.