I am a neuro-hospitalist at Memorial Neuroscience Institute. I manage and treat all varieties of neurological diseases. My specialty is vascular neurology; a specific focus on diseases of blood vessels that affect the brain and spinal cord. This includes patients who are having a stroke, at risk for stroke or recovering from a stroke. In addition, I also manage brain bleeds, vascular malformations and clotting disorders.

Before becoming a physician, I had many different jobs, from music producer to bench-top researcher at the National Institutes of Health. During my time at the NIH, I realized that my curiosity was rooted in the clinical aspect of the medical sciences. My mentor saw my enthusiasm and outgoing nature and encouraged me to go to medical school. I initially specialized in internal medicine and pediatrics, but during my internship, I did a rotation in neurology, and I’ve been fascinated ever since.

I come from a large, outgoing, social family. What was instilled in me from an early age was how to respectfully talk to other people, accountability and a strong work ethic. I treat every patient as I would a member of my own family. I take time to establish a relationship and make sure patients feel confident having me as their advocate. Above all, my goal is to correctly diagnose and treat those I am privileged to see.

Throughout my career, I’ve also worked to strengthen stroke care across hospitals, helping three achieve Gold Status with the American Heart/American Stroke Associations and one achieve Comprehensive Stroke Center designation by the Joint Commission. With stroke, every second counts. I’m passionate about improving quality metrics, expanding access to appropriate stroke treatment and helping people recognize the signs of stroke sooner so they can get care immediately. The faster we respond, the more lives — and quality of life — we can preserve.

Outside of medicine, my hobbies are travel, coffee importing, drawing/book cover design and music production. I’ve visited more than 100 countries, completed seven circumnavigations of the globe. I still produce music on the side and manage a coffee import operation from Uganda.

Scholastically, I enjoy keeping up to date in my field of neurology, constantly reading journals, talking to colleagues and, most importantly, listening to and learning from my patients. Everyone has an amazing story if you sit, wait and listen.

• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital Pembroke
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital