“I believe that patients should be an active participant in their medical care. My job is to provide them with my recommendations based on the most up to date evidence-based data. Then based on the patient’s personal philosophy, the stage in their life, and previous experiences we will jointly formulate a treatment plan. I try to save same day appointment slots so that my patients can be seen for urgent medical problems without having to utilize urgent care centers. I also work with other caring and competent physicians and nurse practitioners who can a provide care if my schedule is full for the day.”

Board Certification

  • Internal Medicine

Areas of Expertise

  • Acute Care
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Transition between Care Settings

Education

Internship and Residency

Georgetown University Hospital
Internal Medicine
Washington, DC
1986 and 1988

Medical School

Brown Alpert Medical School
Doctor of Medicine
Providence, RI
1985

Undergraduate School

Bowdoin College
Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Sociology
Magna Cum Laude
Brunswick, ME
1981

Hospitals Affiliated With

Martha Jefferson Hospital
University of Virginia Medical Center

Professional Associations

American College of Physicians (ACP)
Member
1988 – Present

Albermarle County Medical Society (ACMS)
Member
1989 – Present

Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society (ΦΒΚ)
Member
1981 – Present

Academic Appointment

University of Virginia
Ambulatory Internal Medicine Clerkship Instructor
Clinical Assistant Professor
1995 – Present

Personal Interests

I am originally from Tokyo Japan and am fluent in Japanese. My husband is an interventional cardiologist and is from a big Italian-American family. We have three wonderful adult children and enjoy traveling and visiting our extended families. I have been active all of my life and particularly enjoy long distance running, downhill skiing, hiking, and trying new adventure sports especially with my family.

Biography

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bowdoin College with a BA in biochemistry and sociology. I obtained my medical degree from Brown Alpert Medical School in 1985. After completing my internal medicine residency at Georgetown University Hospital, I worked for a year at an urgent care center and provided night time coverage for the intensive and coronary care units at Fairfax Hospital.

I joined Charlottesville Family Medicine in 1989. For the first 24 years, I had a busy combined inpatient and outpatient practice. This experience has provided me with the expertise to handle complex chronic medical problems as well as acute medical illnesses. I enjoy ongoing relationships with my patients and some of the patients have entrusted me with the care of three generations of family members. I now have an office-based practice but continue to provide care for my patients at local nursing homes. I am also available for acute visits. Our office has on-site capabilities for X-rays and routine labs. I can administer IV fluids, repair simple lacerations, provide breathing treatments, and certain joint injections.

In addition to direct patient care, I have served on various committees at Martha Jefferson Hospital. I have been a Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Virginia since 1995. I have been teaching undergraduate and medical students at various levels of training. By remaining an independent medical practice, Charlottesville Family Medicine is able to refer our patients to specialists affiliated with either institution. My patients and I can have a frank discussion of who I feel can provide the best care for their special needs.