My Story

I was born and raised in Kailua. Growing up near the ocean, I developed a deep respect for how the natural world shapes and sustains us. Drawn to both science and art from an early age, I became fascinated by how sound, nature, and the body interact — a curiosity that naturally grew into an interest in healing. That curiosity led me to medicine, and along the way I learned that healing extends far beyond what we learn in medical training — it also takes shape in creativity, connection, and the simple act of listening.

I took the scenic route to psychiatry. I began college as a pre-med student, but quickly saw that my academic interests extended far beyond the traditional track. I signed up for harp lessons and music theory classes, not knowing how much they would guide my path. Learning about harmony, resonance, and the emotional power of music helped me understand how deeply sound can affect our inner world. Feeling that shift in myself was the spark that led me to design a major in Music Cognition, blending psychology, neuroscience, and music to explore how sound vibrations transform into meaningful human experiences.

I considered a career in research or music therapy, but eventually returned to medicine. I’ve always been inspired by my father, an ER physician who cared for our Kailua community for decades. Through his comforting words and positively grounded perspective, he showed me that the heart of medicine is not only in technical skill, but in compassion and connection. In medical school, I realized I was drawn to psychiatry because it allowed me to truly listen and understand the human experience — where science and story, mind and heart, come together in the work of healing.

During residency, my path shifted again when I became a mother. Balancing inpatient work and caring for a newborn during the pandemic reshaped my understanding of care — for others and for myself. I remember an overnight shift when my pager and phone wouldn’t stop ringing as I tried to pump milk for my infant I had barely seen all week. In that moment, I questioned everything. It reinforced the importance of creating balance amid the many roles that shape our daily lives.

After residency, my work in outpatient psychiatry deepened my appreciation for the many paths to wellness — how sleep, airway health, nutrition, and daily habits all influence emotional well-being. Over time, I felt called to create something more personal, a practice that reflects how I think, listen, and care. I have always found joy in making things — whether through music, crafts, or designing my own individualized major. From that impulse, Mind in Tune was born.