I received my M.D. degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine in 2005, graduating with highest distinction.
That began my second career. My first career was as a lawyer. In 1982, I received a law degree from the USC Law Center, where I was a winner of several awards and honors, including being a finalist in the Hale Moot Court Honors Program, and a Law Review invitee. I was admitted to the California Bar that year, and from 1983-2006 I was a professor of law at the Whittier Law School.
Medicine beckoned, however, and I taught law and studied medicine simultaneously. I was a Dean's Recognition Scholar in 2001-2002 and again in 2002-2003. While a medical student I was awarded the Salerni Collegium Merit Scholarship, the Eric Cohen Clinical Medicine Award, the ACP-ASIM Student Internist Award, and the American Medical Women's Association Glasgow Award. I was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, an honor offered to only those in the top 10% of the class.
I did my residency in internal medicine at Huntington Memorial Hospital from 2006-2009, and opened my private practice in January, 2010. I served as Chief Resident at Huntington Memorial in 2009-2010, and am now a faculty member at the hospital. This enables me to continue being a teacher and a physician, both roles I treasure.
I am Board Certified in internal medicine and have published both medical and legal research in numerous journals including those of Harvard University, Georgetown University, and the University of Edinburgh.