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Originally published April 2, 2026
Last updated April 2, 2026
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He has advanced subspecialty training in cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas and malformations, and cavernous malformations. He treats patients at Keck Hospital of USC and USC Arcadia Hospital. Here’s what you won’t find on his resume.
“Some would say I took the scenic route when it came to choosing a career. My mother would definitely say I was a late bloomer. As a kid, I imagined myself in all sorts of roles – firefighter, astronaut, dog trainer, athlete, and the list goes on. The direction became clearer in college, and I was lucky to meet mentors who invested in me and helped shape my path. Majoring in neuroscience ultimately pointed me toward medicine, where my intellectual passions could translate into purpose and real impact.”
“When I’m not at work, I’m usually trying to keep up with my young son. He’s fearless, curious and a constant fall-risk in the best way. If he’s not climbing something, he’s busy ‘managing’ our Australian Shepherd, who somehow tolerates it all. My favorite reset is taking my wife, son and dog to the park and just being present. There’s nothing better than hearing my son laugh while the dog plays fetch, and seeing my wife taking it all in.”
“My father grew up with very little in inner city Tokyo. He put himself through school and built a career with a Japanese airline. He traveled the world but always focused on providing for our family. He taught me the value of hard work and the importance of finding purpose in what you do. My dad passed away from gastric cancer when I was 15, but the lessons he modeled on sacrifice, resilience and devotion to family still guide me every day in my roles as a physician, husband, friend and father.”
“My favorite TV show is ‘The West Wing.’ It’s been my go-to comfort show for years. I love the mix of humor, heart and sharp writing, but what really sticks with me is how it portrays smart, imperfect people trying to do the right thing under pressure when the stakes are high. It’s a great reminder that meaningful work is rarely perfect, but it’s always worth showing up for.”
“My favorite travel destination is Porto, Portugal. My wife and I first visited during residency, and we keep finding our way back. We’re in love with the city because of its culture, history and incredible food, and especially the warmth of the people. One of my favorite memories is sitting along the Douro River looking out toward the port wine lodges across the water, and enjoying taking the time to slow down and catch up on life.”
“In neurosurgery, the most rewarding part of my job is helping patients regain the parts of life that matter most to them. We often meet people as they’re experiencing one of the worst days of their lives. Sometimes they’ve suffered a sudden and devastating event like a ruptured brain aneurysm or an acute spinal cord injury, and the trajectory can be unforgiving.
A ‘win’ is never guaranteed, and too often these conditions can leave patients with life-altering injuries. That’s why the victories mean so much, such as a patient taking steps again or being able to interact with family and share meaningful moments. Helping patients and families get some of that back is what makes this work profoundly meaningful.”
“I draw inspiration from three places. First, my patients. Their recovery doesn’t end when surgery is over. I’m continually humbled by the months, and sometimes years, of grit they pour into rehab and rebuilding their lives. Watching someone fight for that second chance pushes me to bring the same effort and focus every day.
Our neurosurgical trainees are also inspiring. We’re fortunate to attract exceptional residents and fellows, and their commitment to mastering the craft and caring for patients raises the standard for everyone around them.
And finally, my family, because the time we spend away from home has to mean something. I want the work I do to be worthy of the people who support me most.”
“Neurosurgery is incredibly challenging, but it can also be deeply rewarding. I would advise medical students to strive for technical mastery in the operating room and to ground their decisions in evidence-based guidelines, but don’t let the work become purely algorithmic. The nuance of neurosurgery, and the art of personalizing care, requires that you truly see and hear the patient in front of you. Every scan belongs to a person with a life, a family and ambitions. That sense of humanity is what will sustain you, even on the hardest days.”
“What I like most about working at Keck Medicine is the people. I’ve had the privilege of spending my entire medical training at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, from medical school through residency and fellowship, so this place has truly been home. Along the way, I’ve been surrounded by exceptional colleagues and mentors, and I still lean on them every day to ensure I’m delivering the best care possible for my patients.
Neurosurgery can be daunting, and the conditions we treat are often complex. Having the right team around you makes all the difference, and the depth of expertise and the culture of collaboration really stands out here at Keck Medicine. We build the best plan for each patient by drawing on colleagues across neurosurgical subspecialties and partnering closely with other disciplines like neurology, vascular surgery and otolaryngology.
As an academic center, we’re able to bring cutting-edge medicine to patients, including emerging therapies and the newest devices and surgical technologies, when appropriate. That combination of high-level specialty care with real collegiality and coordination is what sets the patient experience apart.”
