I was born in Arkansas, the oldest male in a large family with Midwest values. My father was a physician, and from him I learned how fulfilling a life could be dedicated to taking care of the health needs of others.

  I completed my undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology and physical education in Tulsa at Oral Roberts University. I fulfilled my requirements for a medical doctorate (graduated 2nd in my class) at the University of Arkansas. After my internship and general surgery residencies there, I moved to Louisville Kentucky to complete my cardiac surgical training. The University of Louisville system (including The Jewish Hospital and Humana Hospitals) is the 5th largest cardiac program in the country. My training there included all aspects of cardiac, thoracic (lung), vascular; heart and lung transplant surgeries; and surgical intensive care. While there, I conducted research and had the opportunity to present at major international meetings the results of numerous studies on cardiac surgery. I left Louisville in 1992 to enter private practice in the Coachella Valley.

  I am a partner of Cardiothoracic Surgery Associates of the Desert. I specialize in cardiac (bypass, valves, heart failure, minimally invasive and bloodless surgeries). I have a particular expertise in lung cancer surgery.

  I have a wonderful family with one preteen daughter who has a black belt in Taekwondo. When not at the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my family and doing gardening, reading, and volunteer work in the community.

  I was born in East Lansing, Michigan and completed my formal education in Philadelphia. I attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a B.A. in Biopsychology. I spent a year in the Cardiothoracic Surgery research laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania where my interest and passion for cardiac surgery developed. I received my medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University and subsequently completed my internship and residency in General Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. I spent a year in the Cardiac Surgery research laboratory in Pittsburgh, during which I presented at major national and international meetings, authored three book chapters, and published numerous peer reviewed journal articles. My training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of California, San Diego involved all aspects of adult and pediatric cardiac, thoracic, and transplantation surgery.

  In the summer of 2000 I relocated to the magnificent Palm Springs area, and became a founding partner of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Associates of the Desert, which is based at Eisenhower Medical Center. I am Board Certified in General and Cardiothoracic Surgery. I specialize in heart, lung, and vascular surgery, and have a particular interest in mitral valve surgery, the Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation, and complex revascularization procedures.

  When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends,, running, cooking, and learning about food and viticulture. Other interests include travel, architecture, and entrepreneurial endeavors.