About Me

I have always been drawn to both science and the arts. I went to a performing arts high school for classical piano and practiced sculpture and painting at home, but also really enjoyed biology classes and did some scientific research after school through the American Heart Association. This trend continued throughout my undergraduate years at Duke University, where I was a biology major but very involved in the musical theater community. I went to medical school at the University of Florida and was extremely lucky to be introduced to the field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, which I found to be an ideal blend of art and science, with the benefit of forming great relationships with patients over time.

My specialty within plastic surgery is cancer reconstruction, particularly cancers of the breast. Reconstruction is an essential and important part of recovery. Through the use of implants, rearrangement of local tissue, and transfer of tissue from other parts of the body, I aim to restore not just function but appearance and self-confidence. After my plastic surgery residency at Cornell and Columbia University in New York, I spent a year at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center focusing on cancer reconstruction and microsurgery, which is a technique that allows the transplantation of tissue from one part of the body to another. An example of this is the DIEP flap for breast reconstruction, in which abdominal tissue is used to recreate the breast while sparing the function of the abdominal muscles.

In addition to cancer reconstruction, I also enjoy practicing the full spectrum of plastic surgery, including gender affirmation surgery, treatment of congenital, traumatic, and developmental issues, burn reconstruction, and body contouring after massive weight loss.

Roles and Responsibilities

Chief of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente North Valley, 9/2021-present

Awards

Sacramento Magazine Top Doctors Award 2017,2018,2019,2020,2021

Professional Affiliations

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons

My Colleagues

I am thrilled to be a part of the Plastic Surgery department at Kaiser Permanente. Practicing with the Permanente Medical Group allows me the freedom to connect with my patients and take the best care I can of them without having to deal with a lot of red tape. There is a wonderful ongoing exchange of information between my colleagues, both within my own department and others. It truly maximizes the time of everyone involved and makes each interaction more valuable.

Family and Friends

My husband and I love living in Sacramento. We love attending live music concerts, dining out, camping, and throwing parties! We have two Scottish Fold cats and two lovely daughters. Being a mom has been challenging and amazing, and I think it has really helped me to become a better doctor.