In an introductory podcast, I will introduce myself to you. I am a palliative care physician with 20 years of experience. I have practiced medicine in Michigan, Arizona, California and now Hawaii.

You will hear about how I became interested in caring for seriously ill and dying patients. Why it matters to me that when struck by an illness, we should all have a say as to how our lives should end. 

I want to empower physicians to have better conversations with their patients about their goals and wishes, without thinking that they are taking their hope away. 

But most importantly, I want all of us to be encouraged to live a mindful life, one that allows us to appreciate the present moment. To consider checking off whatever is on our bucket list before it is too late. 

The major culprit for starting this podcast was the COVID pandemic. As I felt alone on a geographically isolated island, away from so many of my colleagues struggling with unimaginable death and suffering on the East coast, I imagined providing a podcast to share my thoughts and training may prove to be helpful. 

Welcome!