Specialty Psychiatry Facility Sacramento Medical Center Department of Psychiatry Address Fair Oaks Medical Office Building Department of Psychiatry / Neurological Services 2345 Fair Oaks Blvd. Sacramento CA 95825 Map & Directions Telephone Office: (916) 480-6850 E-mail your doctor View your preventive services

My Office Hours

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
		7:30 am 6:00 pm	7:30 am 6:00 pm	7:30 am 6:00 pm	7:30 am 6:00 pm
Closed during lunch, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

Welcome to my home page and to the Center for Neuropsychological Services Clinic, housed in the Department of Psychiatry at Roseville.

My Specialty and Why I Chose It

I work as a neuropsychologist here at Kaiser Permanente. Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships. While diagnostic medical procedures such as brain imaging (MRI, CT) provide information about structure (physical changes in the brain), neuropsychologists administer tests to assess for changes in function that the MRI’s and CT scan can not tell you about. I like to compare the brain imaging procedures such as MRI’s to the hardware of a computer, and the cognitive processes as the software of the computer. Brain imaging may or may not detect structural changes and when it does it does not mean there is a one to one correspondence with how we think and function. Thus, neuropsychological tests are aimed at detecting changes in cognitive functions (such as memory, attention and the like). I also do clinical interviews and speak with someone who knows you well because the tests we administer are only one piece of the puzzle. There can also be emotional changes as a result of brain changes, as well as in reaction to being diagnosed with some sort of disorder. Sometimes stress can create changes in our memory and other cognitive functions as well, which then remits when new coping techniques are used or when the stressor remits.

The practice of neuropsychology appeals to me because for as long as I can remember dinner table discussions in my household centered around the neurological problems one parent saw and the emotional factors related to those neurological problems that the other parent helped deal with. Neuropsychology is similar to putting pieces of a puzzle together in that there are many different factors you need to consider, (i.e. individual’s background, cultural differences, medical and psychosocial history, test results etc). Finally, I enjoy using the knowledge gleaned from these assessments to help others understand what is going on, as well as to provide the provider and the individual with some answers.

My Qualifications

University of California - L.A.	Postdoctoral Residency
Washington State University	Graduate Education

My Practice Philosophy

My practice philosophy follows that of the UCLA model where I did my postdoctoral residency in neuropsychology. The goal is to answer the referral question by administering standardized objective tests, to aid diagnosis and treatment planning. I work primarily as a consultant to referring clinicians, so a summary of my test results is sent to physicians or other health care staff to be integrated with their findings. When appropriate, I also provide recommendations in order to help the individual and family.

My Tenure with Kaiser Permanente

I have been with Kaiser Permanente since 1996 and enjoy the support we have received by Kaiser. I like that everyone is housed under one rubric and access to treating providers is simply a phone call away. I feel quite valued by the referring providers we serve here at Kaiser Permanente. The ability to review records is a luxury we have at Kaiser Permanente thanks to the electronic health record system.

On a Personal Note. . .

Although I love my work at Kaiser Permanente, I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, exercising (usually in the form of walking/running), and traveling. I have lived in California most of my life and really appreciate the surrounding beauty, cultural diversity, and tolerance in this part of the country.

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