Having grown up with a Korean mother and an Iranian father, I was raised with openness, knowing that no perspective is absolute, and different things work for different people. My approach to healthcare is similar, in that I recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
I was originally attracted to studying medicine because it is a crossroads among creativity, science, and humanity. Even before medical school, I knew that health is not created by prescription medications. While medications can play an incredible role, they do not promote wellness. I realized that in order to truly help my future patients live their healthiest lives, I needed to look beyond the medical school curriculum. In my free time throughout medical school and residency, I studied and attended conferences on topics like Functional Medicine and clinical nutrition, exercise, the integral role of the microbiome, the power of supplements and herbs, acupuncture and Eastern philosophies, homeopathy, hormone therapy, and more – shockingly, each of these important teachings has little or no mention in conventional medical training.
When I left residency, I immediately started implementing these treatment strategies with my own patients and witnessed many of them getting better from illnesses that I was taught had no cure. I continue to further my education by attending conferences, doing my own research, and seeking out mentors who are practicing cutting-edge, evidence-based medicine, to help people heal, even if it may not be considered standard of care just yet.
I have worked in a variety of healthcare settings: hospitals, outpatient clinics, those that accept insurance, those that do not, and an annual membership practice. While no model is perfect, I found that the annual membership model allowed me to build the intimate relationships with my patients that not only seem best for promoting their long-term health and wellness, but also fulfill me. I believe that a strong doctor-patient relationship is one of the most influential factors in determining one’s health. Without its emphasis in our country, we have seen increasing chronic illnesses, increased healthcare spending, medical errors, and jaded patients and doctors. (For more information on this bountiful topic, see this NYT article.)
I moved from New York City to Denver for the pursuit of more balance, fresh air and mountains, and to create a medical practice that I truly believe provides the best of what healthcare has to offer today. I look forward to seeing my patients transform into a healthier version of themselves and supporting them throughout the process.
