My Own Gut Story:

As a young adult studying at UCLA I found myself more tired than everyone around me. I needed more rest than the average over-extended college student. I woke up from ten hours' sleep feeling foggy and fatigued. My mood was low and, even with the typical struggles of young adulthood, I couldn't understand why I felt so off when everything around me should have been great. I was found to have "slightly low iron" - but that was normal since I was a young woman who didn't eat a lot of meat, right? I was dismissed by several medical practitioners, labeled as a hypochondriac by family and friends, and treated for anxiety and depression. A few years after college I sought help from a new physician who amazingly tested me for celiac disease just from this set of complaints. I will forever be indebted to her for how she changed my life for the better. As much as the diagnosis was a relief and a confirmation that I was not crazy, I certainly struggled for several years with the huge change that is the gluten-free lifestyle, along with still feeling unwell and developing many more gastrointestinal symptoms than I had ever had before. I visited physicians and dietitians who were supposedly experienced in the area and I found that I knew more than they did about my condition. Disheartened, I attempted to exclude every food that made me feel sick, which didn't leave much to eat and had very negative psychosocial consequences. Then I became heavily involved with the Celiac Disease Foundation and found a supportive community of thousands of others who had experienced the same dismissal, confusion, lack of help from the medical community and isolation from their friends and family. Through this organization I also found expert health practitioners who helped me to understand my body and finally reach a gut equilibrium that is very manageable. 

I know first-hand the importance of advocating for one's own health. I know how it feels to be searching for answers and to lose hope that answers actually exist. While many medical conditions do not have perfect solutions or simple answers, I truly believe that finding knowledgeable health practitioners who will take the time to understand you is essential to improving quality of life. There is always hope for improvement, and finding the right person to talk to can make the world of a difference. 
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Professional Qualifications:

Click here to view my full CV, including my credentials, education, professional training, employment history, presentations, and publications.

Practice Hours:

   Fridays: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • ​Additional afternoon appointments available upon request.
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Telehealth appointments available via Zoom or Google Meet