Like you, I always wished I could find a physician who took an alternative and natural approach to medicine and health.  I wanted a doctor who could answer my health care questions, both about general wellness and chronic disease. Someone who could recommend more than just medicines and surgery, but know when these treatments were truly necessary.  Most importantly, I wanted a doctor who appreciated the importance of stress on health, and the role of the mind in healing.

During my training to become a physician, I was awed by the wonders of what modern medicine can do to improve and extend the lives of people. I’ve witnessed first hand how many of these treatments are essential to health care today. In the process of this learning, I was also thrust into the limitations of our current health care system that forces physicians with the best of intentions, to become rushed and unable to provide the quality of care that patients deserve. Modern medicine is failing us by creating a system in which doctors no longer have time to listen to their patients, and focusing on diseases and treatments, instead of promoting health and wellness. While there are many incredible medical doctors out there, the majority is stressed due to the constraints of the current system. This system relies heavily on “quick fixes” and symptom management, as physicians feel there is not enough time to deeply connect with their patients.

My motivation to work in medicine, in large part, came from my own prior experiences. There was a time in my life when I faced addiction first hand. During those years, my social circle was filled with people important to me, who suffered from addictions and pain. I was fortunate to find my way to health and wellness; by learning about the incredible things life has to offer. So many of my friends were not so lucky, and I lost many in the ensuing years. As I studied tirelessly to become a doctor, I would get phone calls and emails from old friends to tell me of another’s death and sad end to their story. I would then find myself on the wards in the hospitals, maybe even the next day, caring for people also afflicted by addictions and chronic pain. Too often I witnessed a lack of compassion and understanding in the care of these patients. It was clear their addiction and chronic pain conditions were not seen as ‘diseases’ but as character flaws. This continues to be the reality for most people suffering from addiction and chronic pain today, and drives me to provide the compassionate care that is essential to recovery.

Following my conventional medical training at Boston University School of Medicine and University of Colorado Hospital, I felt compelled to understand the keys to wellness, and what predisposes people to illness. I wanted to know more than how to treat symptoms and diseases. I had to learn what makes people healthy, and how to identify the root causes of disease. This led to my pursuing education in functional medicine, integrative medicine, holistic nutrition, mind-body medicine, and herbal medicine, including medical marijuana (cannabis).

Most importantly, I learned that the best doctors and healers spend the time getting to understand their patient’s life story, and how each person’s unique experiences affect their health. I value the time I have with my patients, getting to know their life stories, and am honored to have the opportunity to work with them to improve their health. ​