About Me

I was born in Indiana to Filipino parents. While I was still young, we moved to Southern California, where I grew up. In undergraduate school at the University of California, Los Angeles, I met my wife, who was born and raised in Hawaii. I later went to Samuel Merritt University in Oakland for my Master Physician Assistant degree. We knew we wanted to settle and raise our family in Hawaii, so when the opportunity arose to move here, we didn’t hesitate. I’m still in awe of the beauty of the land, the ocean, and the culture.

About my practice

From the time I was little, I’ve had an interest in medicine. Both of my parents are physicians. I remember going to their clinic after school as a child and later working there during summer breaks. They didn’t push me to study medicine, but I was inspired by their example—their respect for their patients and their drive to help people be well.

Before pursuing a medical career, however, I worked in several different industries. These experiences help me to relate to my patients, who also come from varied professional backgrounds. Occupational medicine was appealing to me because it requires a broad base of knowledge and skills across specialties as well as an understanding of the process of bringing workers back from injury so they can return to their jobs and continue to make a living.

Attending conferences and reading medical journals are great ways to review the latest medical research. My professional organizations, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants, and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) also provide new information in my field.

I first experienced the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group as a Kaiser Permanente member and again during my clinical training. Those with whom I worked were bright, friendly, knowledgeable, and supportive of each other. I knew that I wanted to be a part of a health care team that shared my vision of providing high-quality care and services to members and patients.

I enjoy hearing patients' stories and look forward to seeing improvements in their health that bring them ever closer to the quality of life they aspire to.

How I thrive

Since moving to Hawaii, we’ve added three wonderful children to our family. My kids inspire me to run faster, jump farther, and reach higher. Their energy is almost tireless, and I enjoy chasing after them. They also inspire me to keep learning. Every day they sing new songs and share new facts and insights. I work to stay healthy by drinking plenty of water, exercising at the gym, practicing yoga, spending time outdoors, running, surfing, golfing, doing puzzles, and reading. One of my favorite activities is cooking with my wife.