About Me

I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to Virginia with my family when I was 12 years old. When my wife and I got married in Honolulu, we talked about returning to live here one day. We were so happy when our dream became a reality! We love the diverse cultures and the wonderful people of Hawaii, as well as the many outdoor activities we get to enjoy.

About my practice

I was always interested in biology and science, and I was thinking about a career in medicine as far back as I can remember. I was convinced that this was the field for me when I volunteered at a local free clinic and saw many wonderful physicians making a difference in their patients’ lives. To this day I strive to have a similarly positive impact on my patients.Otolaryngology was attractive to me because of the complex anatomy of the head and neck region. I’m also fascinated by the sensory nervous system and cancer biology. My subspecialty is the treatment of skull base, head, and neck cancer that requires long-term patient care. I have a PhD in neuroscience and have conducted numerous research studies. I did my fellowship training in Brisbane, Australia, where I focused on skull base surgery and advanced head and neck surgery. Papers that I have presented cover the topics of nasal cell toxicity and endoscopic management of nasal complications. I have published numerous studies in professional journals covering topics in my field and related issues, including tumor excision, testing of cell toxicity, removal of cysts in children, methods of diagnosing reflux, and olfaction.To stay current in my field, I read the latest journal articles relevant to my work, keep in touch with my colleagues around the world, and attend various conferences in my field.In addition to English, I am well-versed in the Korean language.I joined the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group because of its coordinated health care delivery system, in which all services and specialties are available to providers and patients. I was also attracted to the wonderful and collegial group of physicians here.I believe in providing personalized patient care, educating patients about their disease processes, and guiding them through their treatment options. Understanding who my patients are as individuals helps me connect with them. The patient-doctor relationship is very important to me, and I learn from every patient I encounter.

How I thrive

I stay balanced by running, hiking, cooking, exploring the islands, and spending time with my wife and son. I also like to read, and I make it a point to keep in touch with extended family and friends.