I was born and raised in Seattle, although I spent some of my early years in the Philippines. In the first ten years of my medical career, I worked as an Emergency Medicine physician in various ERs in Pennsylvania and Washington. During this period, I also established a private practice in Family Medicine after resettling in Seattle.

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In 1981, when I started my private practice, I sought practitioners from different disciplines, including acupuncturists, physical therapists, naturopaths, midwives, and physicians specializing in various fields. This collaborative effort led to the creation of the Seattle Healing Arts Center. My intention was to explore the basis of healing and to find out what interventions work in various clinical scenarios.

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Throughout my more than 45 years of practicing medicine, I have had the privilege of listening to numerous stories and encountering a wide range of clinical situations and outcomes. Each patient has brought a unique perspective and offered innovative solutions to a variety of health issues, as does each practitioner. When I meet new patients, I frequently start by listening to their life story, encompassing the factors that have shaped their emotional, social, and spiritual growth. This understanding forms the basis upon which we can then integrate conventional medicine to address their health concerns and goals