I am a proud Gryffindor who believes that courage, loyalty, compassion, and a sense of humor all have a place in medicine. Born and raised in Russia, I completed medical school there before pursuing a career in family medicine in the United States.
My greatest mentor, Dr. Angela Driskill, a wound care physician, taught me the importance of leading with kindness and compassion. Her example continues to shape the physician, educator, and leader I strive to be. My professional interests include wound care, geriatric medicine, hospital medicine, and medical education.
I believe family physicians are the captains of the ship. We set the direction, coordinate care across specialties, and ensure that every member of the healthcare team works together effectively. This responsibility calls for the highest standards of clinical knowledge, sound judgment, leadership, and compassion. A patient’s healthcare journey often depends on our ability to identify concerns early, make thoughtful decisions, and guide the team safely forward.
As Program Director of the Northwest Healthcare Family Medicine Residency Program, my goal is to help every resident reach their full potential and become the physician they aspire to be. Each resident brings unique strengths, interests, and professional goals. Our responsibility is to provide the mentorship, support, and meaningful opportunities they need to develop into skilled, confident, and compassionate physicians.
I am also a dedicated advocate for resident well-being. Medical education should extend beyond clinical knowledge and technical skills. We must teach residents how to build sustainable habits, maintain balance, recognize the early signs of burnout, and protect their long-term well-being. My goal is to help our residents build meaningful and enduring careers so they can continue serving their patients for as long as they choose, without burnout limiting their professional fulfillment or longevity.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, exploring Arizona, spending time with my family, and trying—usually unsuccessfully—to teach my cats to respect personal space during online meetings.