I attended the USAF Academy, graduating in 1984 as the "Outstanding Graduate" in basic science.  I then attended The Ohio State University College of Medicine where I completed my medical doctorate in 1988.  Following medical school I returned to active duty with the Air Force and completed training in Internal Medicine, obtaining board certification in 1991.  After practicing as an Internist for two years I returned to graduate medical education, completing my training as a general surgeon in 1998.  Subsequent to completing my surgery training I obtained board certification in 1999.  I maintained my board certification in Internal Medicine until 2014 and continue to maintain my General Surgery certification today.

     After completing my general surgery training I was assigned to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey where I functioned as the sole Internal Medicine physician and sole surgeon.  I transferred from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska in 2000 where I worked as a General Surgeon and Chief of Surgery.  In 2006 I transferred from Elmendorf to the US Air Force Academy where I was promoted to the rank of Colonel and served as a Surgical Operations Squadron Commander.  As the Surgical Commander I facilitated the transition of the Academy Hospital to an ambulatory surgery center, managed 220 personnel and 30 million dollar budget.  I left the Air Force Academy in 2010, moving to David Grant Medical Center in California.  While stationed at David Grant Medical Center I functioned as the Clinical Master in General Surgery and Surgical Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General for General Surgery.  While on active duty I deployed four times ('02, '05-'06, '09 and '12) as a combat surgeon with my last combat deployment to Craig Joint Theater Hospital as the Deputy Commander for Clinical Services (Chief Surgeon for a trauma hospital),  In '03 I deployed as a Hospital Commander for an Expeditionary Medical Squadron.  At the end of 28.5 years of distinguished service to the United States I retired in October of 2013.

     After retirement I joined Northwest Surgical Services in Eugene.  While working with NWSS I focused on emergency general surgical care to include treatment of traumatic injuries, bowel obstruction, appendicitis, cholecystitis, incarcerated hernias and critical care.  During my time with NWSS and while acting as the Trauma Medical Director I facilitated Sacred Heart RiverBend's completion of Level II American College of Surgeon trauma center certification.  I transitioned to an elective surgical practice with Avante Surgical in 2018. I am an Advanced Trauma Life Support certified instructor, and certified Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) provider.