Born in Venezuela and raised in rural Oregon, she brings a rich and diverse
perspective to her work in medicine. She later moved to Washington, where
she attended the University of Washington in Seattle, earning a Bachelor
of Science in Physiology. It was there that she met her husband, Karl,
who is now a teacher. She went on to complete a Master’s in Medical
Science at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences before earning
her medical degree from Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College
of Medicine in Spokane.
Before medical school, she had the privilege of serving the Lummi Nation—one of the largest tribal nations in Washington—where she collaborated closely with public health teams during a hepatitis A outbreak and later contributed to hepatitis C and harm reduction efforts. These experiences deeply shaped her view of medicine, reinforcing that compassionate care extends beyond treatment to include listening, partnership, and long-term support. They ultimately guided her toward a career in family medicine.
Her clinical interests include chronic disease management, addiction medicine, mental health, reproductive health, dermatology, and palliative care. She is also passionate about advancing health equity, particularly by improving access to cancer screening in underserved and minority communities.
Her research has explored diverse areas of medicine, including orthopedic trauma outcomes—specifically the impact of atherosclerosis on wound healing after ankle fracture repair—as well as medical education innovation. She has contributed to developing curriculum aimed at improving recognition of melanoma in patients with darker skin tones, addressing critical gaps in care and education.
Outside of medicine, she enjoys staying active through biking and running, and finds joy in spending time outdoors. She values time with family and friends, life at home with her two cats, and expressing creativity through art—an outlet that helps her recharge and stay grounded.
