Specialty Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Facility Sacramento Medical Center Department of Medicine - Endocrinology Address 2025 Morse Avenue Sacramento CA 95825 Map & Directions Telephone Appt/Advice: (916) 973-5440 E-mail your doctor

Department Hours

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Closed	8:30 am 3:00 pm	8:30 am 3:00 pm	8:30 am 3:00 pm	8:30 am 3:00 pm	8:30 am 3:00 pm	Closed
Closed during lunch, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

About Me

I am a staff endocrinologist in the department of Endocrinology and Metabolism. This means I take care of patients who have problems with their endocrine glands such as the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal and pituitary glands. Endocrine glands are organs that produce hormones that circulate in the blood stream and help to regulate body functions. I decided to do this because I find the study of endocrine diseases to be fascinating. I have had a long time interest in Endocrinology, beginning before I became a physician and was doing research in a physiology laboratory at the University of California. Once I attended medical school I realized that I still loved the field. Because hormones can potentially affect all systems of the body, being an effective endocrinologist requires me to pay attention to the whole patient and not just an isolated part; I really enjoy this approach. Diagnosing and treating endocrine problems is a little like being a detective; as an endocrinologist I gather most of my information by talking with my patients, doing an examination, and performing a few lab tests.

I am board certified in Endocrinology and Metabolism. I have an MS and PhD in physiology with a specialization in Endocrinlogy. I recently was elected to Fellowship in the American College of Physicians. I am also a member of the American Diabetes Association and the Endocrine Society. I was elected to membership in Alpha Omega Alpha (a medical honor society) in 1992. For more information about my education, training, and credentials, please read the My Credentials section below.

Professional Interests

I have a personal professional interest in cholesterol metabolism and the role of dyslipidemia in cardiovascular disease. I am the medical director for the Cholesterol Management Program (CMP) in the "North Valley " region of Kaiser. I have otherwise attempted to keep my endocrine interests general, so that I will always feel equipped to take care of all patients.

My Healthcare Practice

My top priority as a physician is to give my patients the best information that I can and then help them make a decision about the best management. Often times, there is more than one right way to approach a problem and I try to give my patients the freedom to select what feels most comfortable to them and their family. Of course, if I can see that a patient is in immediate danger, I will become very directive, very fast. I believe that the practice of medicine has to be a partnership between physician, other health care providers, and the patient.

Receiving Your Healthcare from Kaiser

I have been with Kaiser, one way or another, since 1988. As an intern and resident in internal medicine, I rotated through both North and South Kaiser, taking care of hospitalized patients. While pursuing my fellowship training in Endocrinology, I would "moonlight" in the urgent care clinic at South Sacramento Kaiser. I practiced as a faculty physician for two years at the UC Davis Medical Center and then came back to Kaiser about six years ago.

A large multidisciplinary group is my strong preference for a practice setting. Kaiser definitely fits this description. I love the fact that getting help for my patients is only a phone call, page, or e-mail away. I am constantly running cases by my endocrine colleagues or curbsiding other subspecialists at lunch. Since Kaiser is a nonprofit institution, our priority is to stay solvent for our patients but not to make money. I never feel as though someone is looking over my shoulder to see if I am ordering too many tests or the wrong medication. I really dislike spending my time on billing or getting authorization from insurance companies. At Kaiser, I can devote my time to taking care of my patients.

Outside Interests

I was born and raised in Southern California, attended high school in Los Angeles, and went to college at UCLA. I moved to Davis in 1978 and have lived there since. I reside with my husband, daughter, two cats, one fish, and an occasional visiting silk worm or guinea pig. When I am not at work, I like spending time with my family, attending my daughter's swim meets or flute lessons and helping her with her homework. I love to read, follow sports (cat rodeo is my favorite) and drink vanilla lattes. I used to be a pretty good seamstress and someday, I hope to take up quilting.

My Credentials

Medical school	UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA
Internship	UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
Residency	UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
Fellowship	UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
Board certification	Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, American Board of Internal Medicine

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