BA, University of Oregon
MD, University of Oregon
Peds Residency, Stanford Medical Center
Board Certified, Pediatrics

I was born and raised in Minnesota. I traveled to Oregon for my undergraduate training in Chemistry. Toward the end of my studies I realized I had a passion for science but really enjoyed working with people. So it was a natural extension for me to pursue medical training.

After finishing medical school at Oregon Health Sciences University, I began my pediatric residency at Stanford. My husband and I always spent our free weekends hiking on Mt. Tam near Mill Valley. So on one of these hiking trips, we went through open houses and ended up buying our current house in Mill Valley in 1994.

After completing pediatric residency, I was a substitute doctor for a variety of practices. It was a wonderful learning experience. I came to the Pleasanton office as a temp in 1996. There was just something about the people and the situation that was just right for me. So when I was offered a permanent part-time job, I accepted. At that time I was also working at CPMC attending high risk deliveries and working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

While I enjoyed the challenges of this work for five years, it all came to a halt when my son, Kaveh, was born in 2000. I quickly realized that coming back to work two days a week in an outpatient setting would be ideal for a working mom. When my daughter, Kimia, was born in 2003, I knew my family was complete. I have always enjoyed parenting issues and I get a lot of on-the-job training with my children. I understand why knowing what the right thing to do with your children and doing it are not always easy. Thus far my job as a parent has been both my most challenging and my most rewarding.

My passions in pediatrics are promoting breastfeeding, nutrition and prevention of obesity, examining the negative effects of electronic media on children, and optimizing preventive care in asthma.

When I am not at work, I love going to the library with my kids, reading, gardening, cooking with my son, bike riding and hiking.

It is truly my pleasure to be a partner in the care of your children.