How many years have you been practicing and where did you graduate from?

I’ve been practicing for 13 years. I graduated from the Physician Assistant program at South College in Knoxville, Tennessee. I began my career in the Emergency Department at Cherokee Indian Hospital, which gave me a strong foundation in acute care. In 2013, I transitioned to primary care and have been serving at the Appalachian Mountain Health Center in Robbinsville ever since.

What do you enjoy most about serving Appalachian Mountain Health patients here in Western NC?

Serving patients in WNC has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I love practicing in a rural community and find you have to apply a wide scope of skills to care for patients out here. I appreciate the opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships and love how many of my patients are part of multi-generational families who have trusted me with there care. I have really enjoyed learning from my patients whether it be about beekeeping, discovering new mountain bike trails from my patients who ride horses, and all the secret gardening skills they share with me. I have never had a green thumb but now I am able to grow some nice tomatoes thanks to my patients.

What is your approach to patient care?

I practice evidence-based medicine with an emphasis on shared decision-making. I work to educate patients about their options explaining risks, benefits, and expected outcomes so we can make choices together. I also recognize the importance of understanding a patient’s background, culture, and life circumstances and how that can impact patient care. I have always found that good medical care is most effective when it’s not only clinically sound but also practical and respectful of who the patient is and what matters to them.

What is one piece of health advice you find challenging to follow yourself?

Getting enough sleep—especially with early mornings and busy days, it’s tough to consistently get 7–8 hours. Like many in healthcare, it’s something I know is important, but find hard to implement consistently.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

For lunch - I would head to High Test Deli in Bryson City and order the High Octane Ruben. For dinner - the Rice Wagon at Mountain Layers, and the Seared Tuna bowl is awesome.

Do you have any special interests?

Skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, and cooking (especially pizza and sourdough bread). I love being outdoors and exploring Western North Carolina with my family.

What languages are you fluent in?

I primarily speak English, I am fluent in Portuguese, I was a Navy Brat growing up in Brazil and have working conversational Spanish skills.