Serving Others Through Functional Medicine
I was fortunate to recognize the importance of service as a component of a spiritual path early in my life. My parents, supported by our parish growing up, Blessed Sacrament in Alexandria, Virginia, fostered a deep respect in me for the necessity to think about the needs of others. This commitment deepened during high school at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School for Boys. Fortunately, I was able to pick a career where much of my daily work can be considered service.
But for many physicians, including myself, modern practice creates moral challenges. At times, it seems that we have lost our focus. Our care goals are defined by curing diseases rather than healing persons. This distorted focus on disease allows us to relate to others as broken bodies instead of the perfection they actually are.
“Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn, and the poor are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”
I find an important distinction here between compassion for an individual whose wholeness is poorly recognized and pity for an individual who is judged to be less than. Exploring what I consider meaningful, important and valuable has led me to recognize that each of us is endowed with his or her uniquely deep and personal meaning and consequently “deserving of the utmost reverence and respect”. I am thus committed to compassionate service. Our new project, the Consilience Partnership, aims to provide insight into how lifestyle choices interact with our genetics, our histories, our physiologies and indeed our spirits to modify our experience of health. Through meditations, guided imageries, interactive small groups and didactic sessions, program attendees define their personal meaning and goals and gain insight to opportunities for both personal and communal wellness. Service elevates each of us as we lift others.
My Service
2004 – Present
Board Member
The Commonwealth Consultants Foundation - a community-based foundation providing educational and experiential opportunities for economically deserving families. Fairfax, Virginia
2019 - 2023
2011 - 2014
Volunteer Physician
Neighborhood Clinic - Tacoma, Washington
2007 - 2010
Member
Healthy Communities of Pierce County
Adults in the Workplace and Active Aging Committee
Gig Harbor, Washington
1995 - 1997
Volunteer Physician
Arna Valley Health Clinic
Arlington Free Clinic - Arlington, Virginia
1992 - 1993
President
St. Stephen’s Alumni Association - Alexandria, Virginia