Bio

Bio

I am an ebullient family physician with special interests in medical education, adolescent medicine, mental health and preventive care. I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Puget Sound and enjoy working with patients to explore and overcome mental and emotional challenges that may contribute to disease.

My medical training began while seated around the dinner table in rural northern California where, as a child, I was inspired by the joy that my parents experienced working as family practitioners. In pursuit of formal medical training I ventured from the west coast to Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota where I was “raised” in a culture of medicine that prioritizes the needs of patients. I strongly believe in and strive to integrate and propagate this philosophy of care.

After surviving four winters and meeting my husband, I happily returned to San Jose, California where I completed residency in Family Medicine at the San Jose-O’Connor Family Medicine Residency Program. During residency I participated in the O’Connor-Stanford “Leaders in Education” Residency Pathway (OSLER) where I began formal training in medical education, working with Stanford clinician educators and medical students. I will continue this training as a fellow in the Rathmann Family Foundation Medical Education Faculty Fellowship in Patient-Centered Care in 2014.

Outside of work I am usually found spending time with my husband in our dahlia and vegetable garden, hiking or cooking. I also enjoy playing soccer, swimming and traveling throughout the world.

Clinical Focus

  • Family Medicine
  • Adolescent Medicine
  • Mental health

Academic Appointments

Administrative Appointments

  • Associate, Educators-4-Care (E4C) (2011 - Present)
  • Clinic Consultant, San Jose-O'Connor Family Medicine Residency (2013 - Present)
  • Physician, Lucile Packard After Hours Clinic (2013 - Present)

Honors & Awards

  • Family Medicine Resident Award for Scholarship, AFMRD/NAPCRG/CFPC (2011)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Executive Committee Member, O'Connor-Stanford Leaders in Education Residency (OSLER) Program (2013 - Present)
  • Member, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2011 - Present)
  • Member, American Academy of Family Physicians (2010 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Residency:O'Connor Hospital (2013) CA
  • Medical Education:Mayo Medical School (2010) MN
  • Residency, San Jose-O'Connor Family Medicine Residency Program (2013)
  • Medical School, Mayo Clinic (2010)
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Puget Sound, Psychology (2005)

Community and International Work

  • Cardinal Free Clinics

    Location

    Bay Area

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

Contact

    • Tel: (650) 498-9000
  • Stanford Family Medicine 211 Quarry Rd Ste 405 MC 5985 Palo Alto, CA94304
    • Tel: (650) 498-9000
    Fax: (650) 498-7750

Research & Scholarship

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

Describe your current research interest and activities

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Sexual Abuse and Lifetime Diagnosis of Somatic Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Mayo Clinic Proceedings Chen, L. P., et al 2010; 85 (7): 618-29
  • Sexual Abuse and Lifetime Diagnosis of Somatic Disorders A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION Paras, M. L., Murad, M. H., Chen, L. P., Goranson, E. N., Sattler, A. L., Colbenson, K. M., Elamin, M. B., Seime, R. J., Prokop, L. J., Zirakzadeh, A. 2009; 302 (5): 550-561

    Abstract

    Many patients presenting for general medical care have a history of sexual abuse. The literature suggests an association between a history of sexual abuse and somatic sequelae.To systematically assess the association between sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of somatic disorders. Data Sources and Extraction A systematic literature search of electronic databases from January 1980 to December 2008. Pairs of reviewers extracted descriptive, quality, and outcome data from included studies. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled across studies by using the random-effects model. The I(2) statistic was used to assess heterogeneity.Eligible studies were longitudinal (case-control and cohort) and reported somatic outcomes in persons with and without history of sexual abuse.The search identified 23 eligible studies describing 4640 subjects. There was a significant association between a history of sexual abuse and lifetime diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.36-4.31; I(2) = 82%; 5 studies), nonspecific chronic pain (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.54-3.15; 1 study), psychogenic seizures (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.12-4.69, I(2) = 0%; 3 studies), and chronic pelvic pain (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.73-4.30, I(2) = 40%; 10 studies). There was no statistically significant association between sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of fibromyalgia (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.85-3.07, I(2) = 0%; 4 studies), obesity (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.88-2.46; I(2) = 71%; 2 studies), or headache (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.96-2.31; 1 study). We found no studies that assessed syncope. When analysis was restricted to studies in which sexual abuse was defined as rape, significant associations were observed between rape and a lifetime diagnosis of fibromyalgia (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.51-7.46), chronic pelvic pain (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.02-10.53), and functional gastrointestinal disorders (OR, 4.01; 95% CI, 1.88-8.57).Evidence suggests a history of sexual abuse is associated with lifetime diagnosis of multiple somatic disorders.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000268640500019

    View details for PubMedID 19654389

Presentations

  • Beyond Listening, Help Me Understand: How to Effectively Share Information In a Healthcare Setting

    Time Period

    5/4/2013

    Presented To

    Society for Teachers in Family Medicine

    Location

    Baltimore, MD

  • Four Integrated Group Visit Formats in a Family Medicine Residency Program

    Time Period

    9/24/2011

    Presented To

    Society for Teachers in Family Medicine

    Location

    Chicago, IL

  • Odor conditioning success differs between nurse and forager bumblebees

    Time Period

    1/5/2005

    Presented To

    Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

    Location

    San Diego, CA

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