Please provide a brief background of your training and practice setting and years in practice.
I did my residency in Internal Medicine from Jamaica Hospital Queens, NY from 1995-1998.We have the opportunity to do our geriatric rotations at the Nursing Home next to Jamaica Hospital. I moved to Fresno and started my own primary care practice in 1999 and started going to Long-term care facilities the same year. I did complete CMD, MBA from Fresno state Craig School of Business and did part of MPH in Health Administration at School of Public Health (UCLA). I have been doing full time long-term care since 2005. I was honored with a Life Time Achievement Award from Mayor Alan Autry of Fresno for taking compassionate care of seniors in Fresno. I received Young Medical Director of the Year Award from AMDA. I was nominated as Medical Director of Year for 2012 for AMDA.

What are you passionate about in long term care?  How are you pursuing your passion?
I was raised in a Nuclear family. Even in this day we have three generations living under one roof. I was passionate about seniors and shortfalls in their care since young age. It is time consuming, there is lot of driving, however every morning I wake up with drive to go to SNF,.so I can make a difference in their quality of life and well-being.

What advice would you give to a new graduate contemplating a career in long term care?
You have to love what you do. Do not do it just for money.

What additional training do you wish you had that may help with your current practice?
AMDA, AGS, CALTCM and AAHPM have filled the void of training in Residency program. Every day we learn something, however I doubt I need any specific more training.

How has CALTCM impacted your practice?
CALTCM definitely gave the opportunity to work very close to great leaders at state level. They have become a mentor and coach if questions arise. CALTCM, being a small organization, gave an opportunity to know each other and also tried to help protect and educate doctors in California's over regulated Health care industry to bring them latest requirements at state level.