After a decade of sharing personal stories from our staff, we felt it was time to highlight the journeys of our own physicians.
I was born in Wahiawa, Hawaii, in 1957, just two years before Hawaii became a state. My mother, a Nisei Japanese woman from the Big Island, and my father, a Texan raised on a cotton farm in the Panhandle, met during WWII in Hawaii. Growing up as the youngest of four, I had two older sisters I’m very close to and an older brother who passed away from kidney cancer a couple of years ago. My mother, despite not finishing high school, was incredibly intelligent with an insatiable thirst for knowledge; she earned her G.E.D. at 42. My father served in the Navy before spending his career in civil service for the Army, where he rose through the ranks due to his dedication.
We lived in Hawaii until I was eight, then spent years in Okinawa during the Vietnam War. Afterward, we moved to Ft. Hood, Texas, which was a culture shock for my mother and me after living in tropical settings. I graduated from high school in Central Texas, unsure of my future, and enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, which turned out to be a great decision for my education. I juggled multiple low-paying jobs to support myself through college. Initially an English major, I quickly realized the job prospects were slim. A biology class sparked my passion, and I shifted my focus towards medicine.
I attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, known for its outstanding research and faculty. My time there was formative; I worked in a lab studying FSH genes, which introduced me to reproductive endocrinology. I also had the opportunity to publish some papers, which was exciting. Throughout medical school, my interest in specialties grew, but my passion for caring for women drew me to obstetrics and gynecology.
After completing my residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital, where I delivered thousands of babies and performed numerous surgeries, I felt a strong desire to specialize further. I decided to pursue a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology, which led me to the University of California, San Francisco. There, I met Dr. Mark Thompson, who became a mentor and friend. After my fellowship, I was fortunate to join the faculty, where we introduced new techniques to our infertility program and expanded our IVF capabilities.
In 1999, when the opportunity arose to acquire a fertility center, I partnered with Dr. Thompson and others to realize our dream. We have now built a successful practice that allows us to provide top-notch care to our patients.
On a personal note, I met my husband, David, while at UCSF, and we married shortly after. Although we debated starting a family, the demands of our careers led us to choose a child-free life. While I sometimes wish for children and grandchildren, our two dogs are cherished members of our family. My interests include gardening, cooking, and traveling, but my true passion lies in my work. I hope to one day retire in Hawaii, where I feel a deep connection to my roots. Volunteering at an animal shelter is something I’d love to pursue, as I’ve always had a soft spot for animals.
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In summary, every step of my journey has shaped my career and personal life, and I look forward to what the future holds.