Why I chose to pursue a career in healthcare:

I have always been fascinated by science. My favorite toy used to be a microscope. I grew up in the former Soviet Union where more women chose to pursue a career in medicine. My grandmother was a pediatric ophthalmologist and as a little girl I loved to visit her in the eye clinic. I learned very quickly that I wanted to be like my grandmother. She had a passion for knowledge and she loved to take care of people. I decided to become a physician when I was very young. I absolutely loved being a student throughout all the years of college and medical school. I learned that I love surgery the first time I was exposed to the operating room as a second year medical student. Shortly afterwards I decided that otolaryngology is the best field for me because it has a nice mix of surgical and non-surgical problems and allows me to take care of patients of all ages.

What I want my patients to know about me:

I believe in holistic approach to healthcare. I listen to my patients and do my best to advise them the best approach to their health problems. This often involves changes in life style and diet. I also encourage my patients to be proactive in their healthcare. I believe that every patient has the power to make decisions for him/herself. Ultimately most patients have good outcomes if we work together as a team.

What I do when I'm not seeing patients:

When not working, I love to spend time with my family - my husband Paul and my son Nikolai. We all love the outdoors in all seasons. In the warmer months we mountain bike, hike, swim and paddleboard. Most recently we have been learning to sail. In the winter we ski, ice skate and snowshoe. My family and I also love the arts and music. When we have free time, we often visit nearby museums and theaters in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. I am also learning to play the piano. I look forward to watching Nikolai to learn to sail, ski and play the piano as he grows up!