"I’m a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician practicing in Kirkwood, Missouri, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. I grew up in a beautiful small town in Northeastern Kansas and moved to the St. Louis area just before High School. I graduated from St. Charles High School in St. Charles, Missouri, then attended the University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Medicine’s six year BA-MD program. During my time in medical school I enlisted in the US Army, and afterward completed Family Medicine Residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Washington. I practiced as a full spectrum Active Duty Army Family Medicine Physician from 2007 to 2011 primarily at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I have experienced medical care from the patient side on many occasions and understand how complex, confusing, and truly terrifying it can be at times. I constantly strive to help patients understand and overcome some of these medical system problems and help advocate for patients and their families. I want patients to know without a doubt that I have their best interests at heart and will help them along their healthcare journey. I’m a scientist at heart and strongly believe in basing medical decisions on proven research and current medical evidence. I also acknowledge that each person is an individual and believe other options including alternative treatments can be valuable adjuncts as well. I truly believe that living a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and exercise can significantly reduce risk for disease, and can be used as a treatment option for many as well. I always prefer to try non-medication treatments such as nutrition and other lifestyle changes before starting medications as long as it is medically safe to do so."
