My interest in medicine first began with my grandmother, who was a trauma nurse for more than 30 years. The stories she told me as a child about her exciting career piqued my interest in the field, and pushed me toward a career in medicine. My drive got even stronger later in my childhood, when I watched my mother struggle with her health and I myself developed debilitating migraines. I saw firsthand how discouraging and frustrating a doctor's office can be, and I wanted to help change that. \n As a teenager, I spent time in a Red Cross clinic in Ecuador. There, I realized how vital it is that everyone have equal access to medical care, which remains a passion of mine to this day. I chose Family Medicine as my specialty because it allows me to help provide that care to the people and communities around me, and because I enjoy caring for people at every stage of life. I am privileged to provide prenatal and low-risk obstetric care and I have additional special interests in lactation and breastfeeding medicine, headache medicine and global health. \n I love that my job provides so many opportunities for education and partnership. I believe my role as a healthcare provider is to hear patients' concerns, provide information and options, and help each person make the decisions they feel is best for their health. I am also committed to teaching and training family medicine residents as they transition from medical school to independent practice, as well as pushing myself to learn each day so I can continue to provide remarkable care for all my patients. \n When I'm not at work, you can usually find me on some trip or adventure. I spend as much time outdoors as I can, whether its hiking, kayaking or horseback riding, and I love to explore other countries by solo-traveling. When I am home, you can often find me curled up with a book and my two cats.