Biography

The last few seconds before the starting gun fired at my high-school Cross Country races were always the most dreaded ones, with my anxiety so high that I thought I would either vomit or check out of the race. This was occurring during my Freshman year of high-school, and I quite conveniently I happened across an old copy of a book at home about running that belonged to my father. I can’t recall the title of the book or the author, but in it I learned about mindfulness and how to calm your nerves through meditation. With these new tools at my disposal, I quickly overcame that pre-race fear.

This was my first introduction to the mind-body connection.

I subsequently focused my academic pursuits on a degree in psychology, based on my fascination with how the mind works, and its emotional and behavioral manifestations when it is not working so well. I took a fascinating class at Texas A&M on the topic of sensation and perception- how the data we gather from the things we touch, see, smell, taste, and hear are translated through our wonderfully complicated sense organs into what we perceive as our environment.

Upon completing this course, I realized that I not only had a passion for learning about the mind, but also for the human body. The two were clearly intertwined and I wanted to treat both. Hence my change of plans to pursue a medical degree.

After working for years in various health care settings, I’ve reached a point in my career where I can put together the whole picture of who you are as a patient -and not just focus on whatever specific physical or mental ailment brings you into the clinic. I enjoy learning about your family, your hobbies, your career, and your partners as much as I enjoy finding the correct form of treatment and counseling for whatever is ailing you. I employ traditional methods of healing, but also provide outside-of-the-box, custom-tailored approaches to your health.

In my clinic you will find a library of helpful books (which I may be giving you homework from), as well as medicinal supplements (Pure brand), some of which I may be recommending based on your individual needs. I am passionate about helping people with nutrition, weight loss, hair loss, mental health (including divorce recovery), and chronic illness. Newer interests include the science of longevity, as well as the research on newer treatments for PTSD -which include ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.

I am an Osteopathic Doctor by training and prefer not to label myself as an Integrative, Functional, or Holistic practitioner of medicine. I do believe, though, that we have a unique approach to your health and wellness compared to most traditional practices, and that you will enjoy the learning and healing you will receive as a part of your care at Hill Family Medicine & Skin Care.