Facility Vallejo Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine Address 975 Sereno Drive Vallejo CA 94589 Map & Directions Telephone For any life-threatening condition: dial 911 Emergency Department: 707-651-1030 Advice (24 hours)/Appts: 707-651-1025 E-mail your doctor View your preventive services

Why did I became a doctor?

I guess initially I believed I would meet Joe Gannon, that strapping young doctor on the TV series "Medical Center" in the 70’s (anyone remember that?). As I watched the program more and more, I was drawn by the depth at which this man and his colleagues found themselves in the lives of their patients. And that patients almost immediately trusted these professionals with their most personal stories... both tragedy and comedy. I have always been drawn to the idea that in a brief interface with another human being, you could cause a change in physical or emotional health or redirect the person in a positive way because of that person’s trust in you.

Practicing medicine is a huge responsibility. It is not to be taken for granted, and comes with heavy repercussions when taken lightly. It is an honor to be invited into this most personal time in people's lives as when they are frightened from an accident, comforting their injured child, facing their own mortality or that of a loved one.

I chose the specialty of emergency medicine because I enjoy variety. I enjoy moving around quickly and the fast pace of change. Of course there is the adrenaline junkie in me that can't sit still so it suits me well. I also feel I am pretty intuitive about people and there is a lot of that in emergency medicine. The human condition and all of its drama travels through our department in a steady stream. Those of us who choose to be there, to help people through these most emotional of times, are drawn to it because we feel we can make it an easier journey in some way.

My philosophy on healing is one of self-motivation. I have seen great things come from the power that patients have in controlling their health. I have witnessed a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer, while raising two small children, overcome the odds through empowering herself and being an incredible advocate for her own health, changing her lifestyle and focusing on getting better in order to LIVE. My philosophy on healing is that healing must come from within people. We are there for those who are injured, meet with unfortunate illness, or suffer from personal tragedy. We give them the tools to get better. Many will do well with our interventions alone to 'heal', but to live a healthy life...that's a question of lifestyle and one that only the patient controls. It's a choice.

I work for Kaiser Permanente because I like to concentrate on the patient, not on the details of personnel, business, or whether I have to justify my medical decisions to an insurance company. I just want to take care of patients. Plus, I enjoy the people I work with because I believe we are there with a common cause.

It is a privilege to be a physician and even more so, an emergency physician. I am thankful to have ended up in a career that feels both 'natural' to me as well as challenging. I appreciate the vulnerability of the patients and hope that I can continue as an empathetic, capable physician and friend.

My Credentials

Medical school	Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Residency	Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
Board certification	Emergency Medicine, Am Osteo Board of Emergency Medicine

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