Academic Appointments

Assistant Clinical Professor, Dept. of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine

Professional Affiliations

• Member, American College of Physicians

I was born and raised on Oahu and attended Pearl City High School, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the John A. Burns School of Medicine. I then completed my residency through the University of Hawaii Internal Medicine Residency Program. Although there are no medical professionals in my family, my parents instilled in me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and taking pride in all that I do.

When I was growing up, I watched my grandfather being treated for the complications of a lifetime of smoking. This experience created in me a desire to help others the way my grandfather’s doctors were helping him through very challenging times. I am particularly interested in being involved in medical education programs.

I’ve coauthored research on several topics, including a comparison of different ethnic groups during labor that was published in the journal Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery; sex education in schools, published in the Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology; and academic performance during medical residency, published in the Hawaii Medical Journal and also presented as a poster at the Queen’s Medical Center Summer Research Internship program.

To stay current in medicine, I read the New England Journal of Medicine, a weekly professional journal. I also follow the American College of Physicians’ monthly feature of the Annals of Internal Medicine, which reviews articles published in more than 100 medical journals.

I love the integrated care system and the electronic medical record used at Kaiser Permanente, which allow providers in all specialties to conveniently and quickly consult one another. Here, care is delivered in a timely and effective way, and the patient’s well-being is the primary concern. My goal is for all my patients to live happy and healthy lives. I believe that individualizing care is the best way to help each patient.

I love to hear about my patients’ lives beyond their medical problems — what their interests and life goals are. I enjoy being able to laugh with them and, most of all, to help them achieve the best health possible.

In my spare time away from work, I relax and recharge by spending time with my family and our Pomeranian, Kuma. I enjoy crafting, sewing, and baking. I’m also passionate about volunteering to help the homeless population in Hawaii.

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I was born in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to Hawaii at the age of one because my parents wanted my sister and me to grow up bilingual and believed that Hawaii would provide a nurturing environment for us. Watching my parents turn their hope of a life in America into a reality has inspired me to be determined and resilient in following my own dreams of becoming a physician. I obtained my Bachelor of Science at the University of San Francisco and returned to Hawaii to earn my medical degree at the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine. Without the love and support of my family, I would not be where I am today.

Pursuing a career in medicine started off as a childhood fantasy. I was in awe of doctors, who appeared like superheroes who could cure sickness. As I grew older, I became fascinated with the human body and its intricate systems. This passion, combined with my love of people and my innate desire to help others, made it evident that becoming a physician was my life’s calling.

I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my husband and our lovable Boston Terrier, dancing hula, singing, finding good restaurants, eating delicious food, traveling, and learning about different cultures.

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Professional Affiliations

• Fellow, American College of Physicians
• Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
• Member, American Thoracic Society
• Member, Society of Critical Care Medicine

I was born in Michigan and grew up in Tennessee, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, California, and Illinois. I did my undergraduate studies at the College of Wooster in Ohio and received my medical degree and doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. For my internship, residency, and fellowships I went to the University of California, Los Angeles and University of Chicago, and I now serve as an associate professor at University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine.

During residency I met my wife, who grew up in Honolulu. She came with me to the cold Midwest, and I promised that if she ever got a chance to move back to Hawaii, I’d be right alongside her. She later accepted a position as epidemiologist for the state of Hawaii, and here we are! My wife was thrilled to return to the islands, and we’re excited to be raising our two girls here.

My mother, a nurse, and my father, a biomedical researcher, instilled in me personal values that have served me well through the years. My wife is now my daily inspiration. I’d never have imagined moving to this wonderful place, if not for her.

Fascination with my father’s biomedical research and the opportunity for lifelong learning led me to medical school. While rotating through my clinical clerkships, however, I became interested in patient care and education. In critical care I’m able to make an enormous difference for patients in a short time and form rewarding relationships. I love solving the mysteries of what makes people ill. And because critical illness can impact many different organ systems, it’s important that I understand the physiology of how all these systems work together to keep us healthy.

To stay current with medical research, I receive email summaries of newly published research, read journals, and attend conferences. I’m also active on social media where there’s a community of health professionals from around the world who engage in spirited debate.

Hawaii Permanente Medical Group provided me a perfect mix of clinical care experience, staff education, and the opportunity to continue research that I had begun on the mainland. The collegial, professional environment makes this an ideal place to practice medicine.

It’s important that physicians listen carefully to patients for the best clues to what’s ailing them. Compassion is also so important—nobody wants to be in the intensive care unit, and people need to know that this is a caring place. I enjoy taking the time to explain complex information and to answer questions clearly and honestly.

My wife is very supportive and a wonderful listener. Spending time with her and our daughters is my greatest joy. To stay fit I work out, go stand-up paddling, surfing, hiking, and bicycling. I'm also an avid vocal and instrumental musician. I enjoy Thai cooking, and I’ve been fortunate to have traveled to more than 25 countries. On the mainland I was involved in health care reform, a physicians’ choir, and kids’ health races.

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