Abdominal Paracentesis

My father is a pediatrician and my stepfather was a psychiatrist, so I was exposed to medicine at a young age. What really motivated me to choose a career in medicine, however, was volunteering with Flying Samaritans, a volunteer organization that provides medical care in underserved communities in Mexico. General surgery was a natural fit for me as I enjoy fixing problems and often am able to offer instant relief for my patients.

I was born and raised in Tucson and completed my undergraduate years and medical school at the University of Arizona. I completed my general surgery residency at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and continued working as faculty there. I perform a broad range of procedures including surgery for benign biliary (gallbladder) disease, colorectal disease, small bowel disease and hernias. I have a special interest in robotic surgery, endoscopy (including upper endoscopy and colonoscopy), and acute care surgery and trauma.

A great bedside manner and thorough communication is extremely important to me; I want my patients to fully understand their care and feel as if they’re being treated like a member of my family. Surgery can be a scary time, and I pride myself on making my patients feel comfortable and understood. Helping change patient’s lives for the better is what drives me, and I truly love what I do.

Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, mountain biking, riding my motorcycle, fly fishing, and spending time with my partner and dogs.

Fluent in Spanish and Portugese.