Growing up in Queens, New York I was surrounded by a large community of Slovak family and friends. As a teenager my family moved from Maine, and to this day I still consider myself a “Mainer.” I met my husband in medical school, and after we both completed our training, decided to settle down in Portland to raise our family. My two children are now grown and out of the house, but when we get together, we love to cook together, travel, and hike.

My 25 years in general pediatrics have given me a valuable perspective not just in managing sore throats and ears, but also of the importance of providing a strong foundation in health as my patients enter adulthood. I have seen more and more of my patients struggle with unwanted weight gain and accompanying consequences, including prediabetes, altered lipid levels, and depression. So recently I returned to my studies and became board certified in Obesity Medicine and completed advanced training in diagnosing and managing lipid disorders. I am now applying this knowledge to my practice, offering lifestyle and, when indicated, medical (pharmacological) approaches to treating these conditions. My patient care philosophy is to listen and inform in a safe environment free of judgement and shame so that my patients have the understanding they need to decide what is best for them.