85MD, 88R, 91F-Internal Medicine

What is your hometown?

Torrance, California

What is your official title?

Director of Cardiac Catheterization Labs
Co-Director of Cardiovascular Service Line
Mercy Medical Center, Sioux City

How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?

I became interested in health care at an early age due to family health issues; my grandfather had early heart disease.

What interested you to pursue a career in medicine and medical education?

The lack of Black role models in my community.

Is there a teacher, mentor or UI Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?

Dr. Donald Brown (62BA, 65MS, 66MD), a cardiologist and professor in the Department of Internal Medicine.

How or why did you choose the University of Iowa for your education and medical training?

I was impressed with the responses from the medical school administration when I asked questions during the application process.

What kind of professional opportunities or advantages has your University of Iowa medical training provided?

The University of Iowa is well respected and renowned throughout the nationwide medical community. I have met many graduates from Iowa, and many doctors who have known other Iowa graduates, and they always have positive stories and warm regards.

Please describe your professional interests.

My professional interests are in clinically invasive and interventional cardiovascular diseases, and in community education and preventive medicine.

What are some of your outside interests?

Parenting is number one. I also enjoy sports like basketball, tennis and martial arts. I enjoy coaching my 7 year old in these sports.

Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional work?

I do unto others as I would have them do unto my family. Always show respect and kindness, and take no shortcuts.

If you could change one thing about the health care system in the United States, what would it be?

I would change the unrealistic expectations, and lack of public understanding, of our health care system.

What is the biggest change you've experienced in medicine since you were a student?

The technological advances, and ability to do more, less invasively.

What one piece of advice would you give to today's medical students?

Take the time to become a complete person, not just a doctor.

What do you see as "the future" of the medicine?

The continued unrealistic expectation for physicians to do more with less, and to do it perfectly. I also expect technical advances to do more percutaneously, i.e. valve replacements and molecular medicine to treat and cure diseases.