| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | When I was seven years old, my family went on a camping trip in the Colorado Rockies. My fondest memories are of waking up in a tent to the smell of pancakes cooked on a griddle by my father, and adventures from mountain climbing to hiking to rafting. It was wonderful to have the family together, to be deep in nature, and to have epic daily adventures. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I identify most with my father. He has always been a bedrock for me, a model of integrity, decisiveness, compassion, and humility. He is outstanding at his job (cardiologist and department chair at his hospital), but also prioritizes his family and values above all else. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I admire integrity, perseverance, empathy, and open-mindedness. Core values of integrity and compassion towards others are a must – I am most impressed by successful people who use their talents for the benefit of society. I believe perseverance and grit are necessary in a challenging world, while creativity and open-mindedness help us appreciate the incredible diversity of life in front of us. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | My brother has a Chihuahua who thinks it is the biggest dog in the state. My first time out with it, it sent a Husky running away scared out of sheer attitude. At home it is the nicest dog you’ve ever met; it won’t even make a peep. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I would travel back to East Africa. I have spent time there working on healthcare access in rural Malawi and Kenya. I made some incredible friends and learned a lot of lessons that have served me well in life. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | The most important thing to pass on is values. I have been very fortunate to be successful in my career and I am around many people who are making a real impact. I think that values are ultimately much more important than worldly success, as it is up to the individual about whether they use their influence for good. Great people and great lives start from the inside out, and for me this begins with the ‘golden rule’ of treating others as you would like to be treated. |
