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, 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.
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.
Professional Service
2019 - Present
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
Community Service
2004 - Present
President
The Commonwealth Consultants Foundation (a community based foundation providing educational and experiential opportunities for economically deserving families) - Fairfax, Virginia
2004 - 2006
1997- 2006
Co-Chairman
Volunteer
Father’s Club, Father’s Club Pancake Dinner
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School - Alexandria, Virginia
1994 - 1995
Chairman
Member
Co-Editor
Membership Committee
Bylaws Committee
Oral History Project
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School - Alexandria, Virginia
1993 - 1996
Member
The Sleepy Thompson Memorial Golf
Tournament Committee
1993 - 1995
Director
Board of Directors
1991
Member
The Towne Club
(Informal fund-raising group for local homeless shelter)
Alexandria, Virginia
1990 - 1992
1992 - 1993
President
Vice President
St. Stephen’s Alumni Association - Alexandria, Virginia
1990 - 1992
Ex-Officio Member
Board of Governors
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School - Alexandria, Virginia