I’ve been in practice well over a decade I have learned that the one-on-one relationship with each patient is what I value most. However, it wasn’t a straight-forward path to get here. With undergraduate degrees in Spanish, Business Management and Business marketing along with dipping my toe into an MBA program and even taking the LSAT to attend law school it took a lot of trial and error to get clear on my true calling. Upon university graduation I headed out to the corporate world with the intention of achieving “success”.  After 5 years of a fast paced and upward trajectory I realized that professional accolades and accomplishments in that realm did not truly feed my soul and honor my true passions.

I had always taken science and biology classes to satisfy personal interest but not for career direction and traditional Western medical school was not of interest to me. My upbringing was highly influenced by health and wellness as my father was a professional athlete and my mother was the classic weekend warrior athlete. I was also strongly encouraged to purse a career that involved giving back to others. While I had received acupuncture in the past and was blown away by its power, the thought of turning that into my career had never occurred to me.

That was until I discovered the Pacific College of Health and Science in San Diego. I took one class on the path to a four-year master’s degree and knew I had come home. Finally, I had discovered a career that combined all of my interests along with my values. After returning seven years later to finish my doctorate I am living proof that it’s never too late to follow your passion and make a change in your life especially when you desire to be of service to others.

In addition to my doctorate and being a licensed Chinese herbalist, I am also a certified health coach and functional medicine practitioner. I am committed to both the science and art of healing and consider it an honor and a privilege to be trusted by so many patients over the years and be an integral part of their healthcare team. Lifelong learning for the benefit of my patients is my passion. Whether it be honing my skills in orthopedics, mental health or internal medicine I am always enrolled in either a class or program so feel free to ask what I’m up to when you see me.

Both living and working in the same community, I have been an active part of San Diego’s historic urban core for over 15 years. I love the diversity, eclectic nature and history to be found in these neighborhoods. Being able to live, work and play in the same area is a privilege I both recognize and greatly value.

When I’m not working with patients or conducting research on their behalf you can find me tinkering in my garden, going out for a run, binge watching anything British, traveling, reading all things history related or simply spending quality time with close friends, family and my four-legged son, Xander.