Hometown: El Paso, TX
Education: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine, Nihon University, Wallace Community College
Growing up, I moved around often, living in El Paso, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; and Decatur, Alabama. For much of my childhood, I was the youngest of two, and my older brother was a role model whom I aspired to emulate. My parents split up when I was still very young, and unfortunately home was not always stable during childhood. I witnessed domestic violence, experienced food and housing insecurity, and longed for a strong male role model while growing up.
For me, that role was filled by my grandfather, who ran a food distribution business in El Paso called Zepol Distributors. He was a generous, fun-loving man, but he struggled with many health problems. After years of drinking and smoking, he suffered a massive heart attack and developed significant heart disease. Following a hip fracture, his health continued to deteriorate until I witnessed him suffer another heart attack and pass away while I was in seventh grade. That was my first major introduction to the American healthcare system.
I volunteered in multiple community programs during high school, including Key Club and a student-led political group called “WEfillintheblank.” As president, we organized community think-tank meetings focused on improving the Texas/New Mexico/Mexico border region. Participating in and leading discussions about how to solve our community’s problems began shaping my thoughts about how I could serve in a future career. Through those experiences, I decided to pursue a career in medicine to help my neighbors lead vigorous and healthy lives so they could become the best versions of themselves for their families, communities, and goals.
While in college, I studied chemistry and Japanese. I spent a year as a Gilman Scholar studying abroad in Japan at Nihon University (日本大学) in Ichigaya, Tokyo. I was also a Science & Technology Honors Student and conducted research in both novel emerging genetics and the abuse of illicit designer street drugs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I obtained my Basic EMT certificate and served as a Patient Care Technician working in telemetry and the CCU at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama.
I returned to UAB for my medical education, where I developed a strong interest in rural primary care and holistic health. I rotated in Centreville and Cullman, Alabama, and completed my core clinical clerkships in Huntsville, Alabama. I also had the opportunity to serve in the Dominican Republic on a medical mission trip in 2024. During my time in medical school, I got married, unfortunately divorced, and now raise my son as a single father, who is my pride and joy. I also lost my own father to substance abuse in 2025, and as a Christian without an earthly father, I am thankful and blessed to have my Heavenly Father guide me in raising my son.
I have interests in hospice and palliative medicine, hospital medicine, rural medicine, spiritual care, pediatrics, and supporting survivors of domestic violence and abuse. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, spending time outdoors with family, piano, and writing. The Gadsden community is a special one, and I continue to trust God, knowing that in all things He works for the good. I am blessed and grateful to have persevered in my faith to serve the greater Gadsden community as their physician, and it is through God’s grace that I am entrusted with this role.