Putting My Own Oxygen Mask on First

For 15 years, I have cared for patients with a wide range of lung conditions in both clinics and hospitals. Over time, I realized I often felt frustrated when patients struggled to change habits that were harming their health. Eventually, I understood that my frustration was not with them — it was with the limitations of the medical system and with my own inability to fully support them in the ways they needed.

Like many physicians, I frequently had too little time to explore the true roots of my patients' health concerns. Healing involves the whole person, yet my specialty training often narrowed my focus to pulmonary symptoms rather than the deeper causes or the broader life context. Administrative responsibilities such as billing and documentation also took me away from the meaningful conversations I knew my patients wanted and deserved.

Although I had spent a decade in training and had access to advanced medical equipment, I realized that some situations required options beyond medication or procedures to create meaningful, lasting change.

This clarity led me to action.

My Journey Into Integrative Medicine

In 2024, I joined the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, a program that blends conventional treatments with scientifically supported complementary therapies.

Integrative Medicine helped me connect the dots between symptoms, lifestyle, and root causes through a whole-systems lens. It evaluates six foundational pillars of health — nutrition, sleep, body, mind, connections/community, and spirituality — and tailors care to each patient’s individual values and needs. It also provides evidence-based tools such as breathing practices, acupuncture, nutrition guidance, mindfulness, and herbal therapies to help restore balance and promote healing.

Turning the Mirror Toward My Own Health

One of the unexpected gifts of this journey was discovering how much my own pillars of health needed attention. Some were cracked; others were nearly toppling.

To rebuild my foundation, I started with two areas: mind and body. I wrote myself a “prescription”:
• Meditate for 10 minutes each day
• Walk 10,000 steps daily — no matter the weather, my schedule, or travel

Caring for my own health made me better equipped to care for my patients. It deepened my empathy, sharpened the tools I use in practice, and grounded my recommendations in lived experience.

As we hear on every airplane: Put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.

Introducing Integrative Pulmonary Clinic

This insight is why I am excited to launch Integrative Pulmonary Clinic with a series of Zoom webinars that bring my own health journey alongside yours. These short, practical sessions explore the six pillars of health using tools and practices I use personally and have seen make a meaningful difference.

I am truly excited to share them with you.

We are all on this journey together — and we thrive when we support one another.

Upcoming Events

These events are designed to be affordable, practical, and accessible to anyone, no matter where you live. You do not need to be a patient of Integrative Pulmonary Clinic to attend.

Understanding Sleep: Science, Myths, and Practical Tools

Struggling with sleep or curious if trackers and sleep aids really work? Join a sleep physician for a clear and practical session for both patients and clinicians.

We will cover:
• Realistic sleep goals
• Insomnia and common myths
• Wearable and tracker accuracy
• The role of sleep aids
• What truly supports restorative sleep

Fee: Free
Date: December 8, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM MST
Register here

Rise with Purpose: 7-Day Guided Morning Routine

Start your mornings with clarity, intention, and energy.
For seven days, join a guided 30-minute morning practice including journaling, movement, meditation, visualization, affirmations, and reading.

We will also explore the science behind these practices and how they support mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Dates: December 10–16, 2025
Time: Daily, 6:00–6:30 AM MST
Fee: $20 total for all 7 days
Register here

Healthy Snacks Made Simple

Learn easy, nourishing snack ideas that fit a busy life, plus recipes you can start using right away. Come and get inspired.

Fee: $10
Date: December 12, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM MST
Register here

Book Club: How to Know a Person

Join us to explore powerful insights from How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks.
We will discuss practical wisdom for understanding others with generosity, depth, and curiosity — even when we differ.

Fee: $10
Date: December 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM MST
Time: 7:00 PM MST
Register here