I was born in Denver, Colorado. I am the fourth of five children. When I was two years old, my family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where I spent my childhood and high school years. I spent my college years at Stanford University and attended medical school at UCLA. I did my internship and residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, where I completed a year as the Chief Resident in Pediatrics. My wife, Tracey, and I have two children, Jeffrey and Hannah. We’ve lived in Mount Vernon since 1995. My interests include spending time with my family, peanut butter and chocolate.

I was born in Hope, British Columbia where my father was doing research at the time. We moved a lot when I was very young. I basically grew up in Manhattan, Kansas (1st – 12th grade). My family returned to the Cascades every summer until I was eight, thus instilling in me a love for this area. I went to undergraduate school at UC Davis and spent my junior year abroad in Marseille, France. After college I joined the Peace Corps. I worked in inland agriculture in Liberia, West Africa for 2 years. It was there I became interested in medicine. I worked in Liberia an additional year as a lab technician doing medical research. I then transferred to the New York office where I worked another 2 years and applied to medical school. I got my MD PhD at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and then did my residency in pediatrics in Seattle, Washington. My interests include hiking, biking, running, ultimate Frisbee, painting, assemblage sculpturing and gardening.

I was born and raised in New Mexico, where my parents still live. I grew up in a big family and I am the fourth of six children. I completed my undergraduate education at the University of New Mexico. During that time I explored careers in Biology research and Anthropology, but fell in love with medicine. After completing medical school, also at the University of New Mexico, I moved to Washington and finished my Pediatrics training at Seattle Children's Hospital.

While, I am a native desert dweller the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest has won my heart. I love being outdoors, hiking, biking, or just walking through a nice park. Reading and baking are a few other activities I enjoy in my free time.

I am looking forward to getting to know the families and children of the Skagit Valley and becoming a part of this community.