I went into medicine because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life. It’s such a good, unique profession that allows me to really get to know – and build relationships with – the people I’m helping.

I chose internal medicine out of many options because I think everyday illnesses are the most interesting of all. They can affect us anywhere from head to toe, and each person’s experience with the same illness can be quite different.

Specifically, I like to manage chronic medical conditions including hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, kidney disease, arrhythmia, COPD and sleep apnea. These all tend to progress slowly, so patients often get “used to” living with symptoms – but we don’t want that, because these illnesses can be disabling, even life-threatening, in the long-term if not managed properly. They can also lead to other acute and complex illnesses.

This means that patient education is a significant part of my practice philosophy. I encourage patients to question any medicines and/or procedures that don’t make sense to them, because those questions encourage me to explain my thought process regarding the overall plan of treatment. When I explain well, patients become more informed about their disease, which leads to overall better outcomes.

Another reason I was drawn to internal medicine was that, early in life, I had a primary care physician who became a good role model for me. Everyone trusted him. He had excellent clinical skills but didn’t use medical jargon – he was personable and talked with patients about what was bothering them. That’s the kind of doctor I strive to be. It’s important never to forget the human aspect of treating patients.

When I’m not working, I love the outdoors – hiking is my favorite activity.