What inspired you to become a physician?
Prior to studying medicine, I pursued a career in bioinformatics. I was driven by a fascination for tracking outcomes and deriving insights from large-scale interventions. However, I felt a void, missing the personal connections and invaluable perspective gained from patient interactions. My motivation to study medicine stemmed from a desire to understand and appreciate the subjective experiences of patients and their health journeys. I aimed to leverage my background in bioinformatics to drive actionable change in healthcare outcomes, bridging the gap between data and compassionate patient care.
What do you love most about practicing medicine?
My favorite part of practicing medicine is interacting with the patients, staff, and fellow physicians on a daily basis. I love hearing people’s individual stories and creating collaborative relationships. I love when patient’s select a specific goal and building a treatment plan that will allow them to be successful in achieving that goal, whether it be walking a 5K or walking their daughter down the aisle at her wedding.
What is one piece of advice that you would give to your patients?
I find that a collaborative team-based approach, not only with other medical specialties, but with patient’s creates the best outcomes. When constructing treatment plans, I implore patient’s to select functional goals that they want to achieve to improve their own livelihood. We then work as a team to create a plan that fits their own lifestyle and goals. The most successful patients pick goals that are attainable, well-defined and actionable.
What makes you unique compared to other physicians (in general or in your specialty)?
The field of pain management has fractionated into provider’s that utilize interventional techniques and those that rely on medications. My personal philosophy is to create a treatment plan that is personalized to the patient and takes advantage of whatever modality is a best fit, whether that be medication or procedural based.
What important lesson(s) have you learned throughout your career that still helps you today?
I believe that as healthcare providers we can continue to learn from each one of our patients. The clinical challenge that each patient presents is a learning opportunity to improve my own practice. I think having the mindset of wanting to advance our knowledge continuously will push the space of forward of medicine as a whole as we are in the pursuit of further improving patient outcomes.
What are some of your personal hobbies or interests - how do you find a balance between work and home life?
One of my passions is participating in endurance sports, including Ironman Triathlons, Marathons and Long-Distance Cycling. I have been involved with competitive athletic events for most of my life, and this passion infuses energy into both my work and home life. I make it a point to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, and I also strive to inspire my patients to improve their own well-being.
What is something you’ve learned in your healthcare career that has changed the way you approach your own health?
Over the course of my healthcare career, I’ve discovered the incredible impact of consistent, small efforts. I have found that individuals who maintain a routine, track their daily progress, and regularly reflect on their health goals tend to experience the most significant improvements in wellness and longevity. I aim to incorporate these principles into my own life to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
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