Facility San Rafael Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine Address 99 Montecillo Rd. San Rafael CA 94903 Map & Directions Telephone Appt/Advice: (415) 444-2940 E-mail your doctor View your preventive services

Why I Became a Physician

I became a physician after my experience volunteering at San Francisco General Hospital while I was studying molecular biology at Berkeley. Leaving the lab to help some of San Francisco's most desperate people was a very moving experience for me. That time in history was the peak of the AIDS crisis, and treatment options were very limited. Many people were afraid to even touch AIDS patients. Patients felt hopeless and I recall watching a man with AIDS die from an intentional overdose under my hands as I performed CPR on him.

Why I Chose My Specialty

Emergency medicine was an obvious choice for me as I completed medical school. No other specialty encompassed taking care of the "whole person" like emergency medicine. I also like working with a team, which is very much a part of emergency medicine.

What I Like about Kaiser Permanente

The integrated nature of the health plan is remarkable. Also, our information technology that has been implemented over the years allows for excellent care of patients.

My Philosophy on Healing

I encourage people to live in the moment. To appreciate what they have now. Life is not fair but people can increase their chances of good luck if they live well and with balance. I try to treat everyone like a family member and with dignity.

Other Personal Interests

I enjoy writing and playing music, mountain biking, and spending time with my family.

My Credentials

Medical school	George Washington University, Washington, DC
Residency	Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
Board certification	Emergency Medicine, American Board of Emergency Medicine

Helpful Information for Members

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Disclaimer
If you think you have a MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest hospital. DO NOT attempt to access emergency care through this web site. An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in any of the following: serious jeopardy to your health, serious impairment to your bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. An emergency medical condition is also "active labor," which means a labor when there is inadequate time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery or if a transfer poses a threat to the health of the member or unborn child.

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