Why I chose to pursue a career in healthcare:

Growing up I always had an interest in science, particularly in biology. The human brain is the most complex thing that we know of in the entire universe. Understanding what makes it tick fascinated me. The desire to help others came only later on. Now it has become one of the main drivers for me in my career. Seeing people feeling better and doing better in their lives is what gives me the most satisfaction in my work.

What I want my patients to know about me:

Although my work focuses on managing medications, I believe that mental health goes far beyond that. I generally recommend to my patients a mix of medication, psychotherapy and life-style modification, including healthy diet, exercise, and relaxation (meditation, yoga, tai-chi, etc.). I am not a great believer in benzodiazepines, which I generally prescribe sparingly, if at all.

What I do when I'm not seeing patients:

I like to spend time with my lovely wife and two children, either traveling or at home. I try to get some type of exercise in every day. When I get a chance, I do enjoy a good movie or documentary on Netflix or Hulu.