In my own words

Philosophy of care: I am committed to treating the whole patient with a focus on cultural awareness, mental health, and improving access to care for underserved populations.

 

Why I Became a Medical Provider: Growing up in two countries, Japan and America, this sparked my interests in the cultural differences in medicine from an early age.  One observation that struck me early on was the disparity in the understanding of mental health.  My interest in understanding the immense socioeconomic pressures and stigmas of mental illnesses drove me to want to learn about aspects of medicine on other cultures.  I became involved in medical-abroad experiences, such as working in a pediatric and maternity clinic in Ghana, to understand the importance of how cultural practices affect health outcomes.  Through my interactions with patients from many cultures during my medical training, this interest evolved into a devotion to caring for under-represented populations. 

I have always been drawn to family medicine because of its emphasis on treating the whole patient with a focus on cultural awareness.  To me, such holistic and comprehensive care is the essence of family medicine.  Because of my original interest in mental health, I am passionate about becoming a family physician who prioritizes behavioral health screenings and is proactive when mental illness is identified.  As a family physician. I am committed to addressing all aspects of an individual's health and working to improve access to care for disenfranchised populations.

 

Personal Interests and hobbies: Traveling, baking, martial arts (American Kenpo karate, kickboxing), Zumba, hiking, jewelry making, foosball, food and travel show enthusiast