I grew up in the small town of Priest River, Idaho, near Priest Lake and Coeur d’Alene. I was interested in medicine at an early age. A life-changing event occurred while I was in high school working summers in a lumber mill. A coworker sustained a severe hand injury right next to me and I was helpless to provide aid. I decided then I wanted the education and training to provide medical care for those in need. I attended college at Washington State University and then medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans. I completed a general surgery residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center which brought me to Colorado. I was board certified in general surgery and practiced while in the Army at Fort Knox in Kentucky. I came back to Fitzsimons to complete a plastic surgery residency and then went to the University of Louisville for a microvascular surgery fellowship. I became board certified in plastic surgery and finished my Army career as a lieutenant colonel at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, serving nearly 14 years. I then joined Colorado Permanente Medical Group in 1996 as a plastic surgeon. I met my wife here in Denver and we have three children who I consider my greatest accomplishment. The most rewarding part of my career is getting to know my patients personally and providing them reconstructive surgery to enable them to be whole again – physically and mentally. I have been honored to be selected 14 years as a 5280 Top Doctor.