I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated with a degree in Immunology from the University of California at Berkeley. I headed back east for medical school at George Washington University. I worked at the National Institutes of Health doing immunology research. I loved bioethics and geriatrics. I became comfortable with the end of life issues that are so important for the elderly. I came to understand death as a natural part of the life cycle. I found my soul in family practice and knew I wanted to work with all ages of people within the context of their families and their lives. For residency, I matched at the University of Washington in Seattle. My training included work in more than eight of Seattle's finest hospitals and I sought extra training in communication and psychiatry.

After graduation I spent a decade in private practice in a mid-sized community that offered great diversity, plenty of obstetrics and a wonderful geriatrics experience. I worked on community medicine projects on Substance Abuse Prevention in Pregnancy and participated in the Governor's Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I delivered nearly 700 babies. I started consulting for a physician-owned medical malpractice insurance company. This work has taught me a lot about quality and safety.

When I discovered a love for teaching, I turned to academic medicine and joined the faculty at Swedish Family Medicine in 1999. Helping residents become the best physicians they can be is very stimulating . My areas of special interest include practice management, obstetrics and geriatrics. Teaching offers challenges and rewards that have enhanced my love of family practice.

In July of 2001 I helped launch the new Advanced Training in Geriatrics at Swedish Family Medicine. This innovative program combines specialty training in family practice and geriatrics. Our goal is to develop a center for excellence in geriatric care that models and teaches effective and compassionate care for the elderly.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy time with my wonderful husband, Nathan, and my little orange cat, Cleo. I enjoy a 31-year addiction to quilting, ethnic vegetarian cooking, travel, and reading. I strive to discover ways to keep life simple, enjoyable and positive.