In addition to your director role, you are also a family medicine practitioner. What made you choose this specialty?
As a child, I often felt the arduous challenge of having immigrant parents with limited resources doing the best they could for their children – especially for my oldest sister, who has suffered from developmental disabilities since birth. While she endured several surgeries as a child, I still remember the spirit of one of her orthopedic surgeons whose heart for medicine was overwhelming. I knew then that it was my chosen career and, amidst my clinical training, was privileged to work with esteemed physicians in northern New Jersey whose rapport and energy with patients solidified my love for family medicine.
What is your primary focus in your role as medical director of clinical education?
As medical director of education, I have the privilege of combining my passions for teaching and providing health care. I am responsible for overseeing several joint ventures between Touro University, UNLV, Roseman University and our very own family medicine residency program within Optum to guide and impact the training of excellent future clinicians.
What is most rewarding for you when working with medical students?
Students continuously inspire me with their fervor and determination. I vividly remember the mentors in my life that have contributed to my happiness and I am so humbled to have the opportunity to be a part of someone else’s journey.
How do you hope your work is changing the future of Southern Nevada health care?
What we do every day is impacting our community in a very large way. As an organization, we are committed to performing with excellence from the ground up. We aren’t just recruiting more clinicians to help care for our growing population; we are directly involved in the training and education of these providers from the start.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The people. I get to spend my day working with people — learning about them and learning from them, talking, laughing, sometimes even crying. The opportunity to build relationships with compassion and trust is a beautiful thing, and it happens to be my job.
What is your personal motto when it comes to living a healthful life?
Kindness is always free, always an option, always a choice.