BIOGRAPHY

I was born in Boston, Massachusetts to an Iranian father and a Puerto Rican mother, both of whom were completing their post-graduate education abroad. Soon after, my family moved to Iran where my father began his practice as a pediatrician/virologist. I spent thirteen happy years growing up in Iran until the untimely death of my father, at which point my mother, a university professor and nutritionist, moved us (two sisters and myself) to Puerto Rico, where I completed my high school education.

I first came to the United States in 1980, where the long pursuit of my medical education began. I attended Rutgers University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in Microbiology and French Literature, then went back to Puerto Rico, where I completed my four year medical doctorate. I came to California in 1990, where I did a one year internship at USC Medical Center and three years of residency training at University of California, Irvine Medical Center. Upon graduation I achieved Board Certification as a specialist in Family Medicine and was accepted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.

In December of 2003, after working in the community of San Juan Capistrano in affiliation with a specialty group for five years, I opened my own solo practice. Having my own practice allows me to implement my personal style of patient care that is focused on the individual as a whole, rather than attending to a particular organ system. I am aware that wellness, as well as diseased states, are heavily influenced by the emotional status of that person. Accordingly, my patient encounters always involve a full overview of the individual's emotional and behavioral state, coupled with an in depth analysis of the dynamics of the patient's home/family life.

My spare time is primarily dedicated to my wife Kathleen, and two small children, Victoria and Julian. I am also a volunteer clinical faculty member at UCI Medical Center, where I spend two half days a month instructing young doctors in training. I am an avid mountain biker, always in search of hilly terrain and I am also an active soccer player and formula race driver.

I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you. I am hopeful I can contribute to your well being as well as that of our community.

MY APPROACH TO MEDICINE

I am a physician who has been in practice for nine years now. My formal education and training culminated with completion of my residency at University of California, Irvine Medical Center, at which time I achieved Board Certification as a specialist in Family Medicine

After being associated with a specialty group for several years, I decided to part ways and establish my own solo practice in December of 2003. One of my motivations was a desire to have the independence of forging a new paradigm in the delivery of medical care for my patients. Throughout the years, it has become painfully clear to me that the majority of the medical problems I encounter have an emotional or behavioral component which cannot be denied. The traditional biomedical model of health care does not address this connection. This failure results in physician-patient encounters that are more often than not incomplete. A significant portion of the patient's "story" is not being heard, or evaluated.

My practice philosophy is designed to focus on the individual as a whole, rather than a particular organ system. Office visits take this into account, and accordingly, issues regarding emotion and behavior (usually the self-destructive kind!) are explored. Frequently, links are made between the presenting "medical" problem and underlying, unconscious feelings. This leads to a greater understanding of the individual's health status and empowers the patient to assume an active role in his or her own well being.

My patient population ranges from infants to elderly. Most insurance is accepted and we do attempt to accommodate the uninsured with flexible fee schedules. Call and make your appointment, I'm looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you!