Staff

The importance of education 'to give you the best possible care requires many years of study, research and experience. Even though I've had an extensive formal education, my learning never ends. I continue to take many hours of advanced, professional courses each year, always looking for ways to improve your quality of life. Plus, my dual licensure ensures that your hearing is in qualified caring hands'

Licensed: Hearing Aid Dispenser, State of California

Licensed: Audiology, State of California
MA: Audiology and Speech Pathology, San Jose State University,
San Jose CA
BA: Speech Pathology, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Continuing Education: Completes the required hours for audiology license and dispensing license renewal

An ongoing quest for knowledge
"One of the greatest advantages of belonging to professional groups is that I can meet with my colleagues to share ideas about ways to provide better hearing care, or to learn about new techniques. If I relied solely on my formal education, I might be unaware of a breakthrough technology or new procedure that could benefit you."

Member: American Academy of Audiology, Academy of Dispensing Audiologists

For the love of the community
"Physician's Hearing Aid Center is very important to me, but equally important is the community in which I live and work. I enjoy the opportunity to give something back to the local people. Not only is it a great way to improve the quality of life for community members, it's also a chance to meet some truly exceptional people."

Community Involvement: Guest speaker to various senior groups on geriatric audiology topics such as Alzheimer's and assistive listening devices.

Accuracy is the bottom line 'Many hearing losses are medically correctable. Our physicians depend on me to identify the place and extent of hearing loss so they can take the appropriate steps to correct the problem or offer suggestions to help. State-of-the-art equipment and ongoing education keep my skills in top shape. My former positions teaching at the university level and training graduate students and medical interns have prepared me well for this challenge. Teaching others is the best way to understand something yourself.'

Experience: Audiology Faculty, Brigham Young University; Pediatric Audiologist, Boston School of Medicine;Clinical Audiologist, Group Health Cooperative

Knowledge erases fear and breeds understanding
'I try hard to help my patients feel safe and accepted. Children and adults alike deserve a welcoming, nonthreatening environment. I want my patients to feel they have a good understanding of their hearing when they leave my office. My goal is to explain test results clearly and in a memorable way so that after only a short session with me, my patients can then explain their results to interested family and friends. When others understand what you're experiencing, they'll be much more accepting and supportive"

Licensed: Audiology, State of California
MCD: Audiology, Brigham Young University and University of Washington
BS: Communication Disorders, Brigham Young University, magna cum laude
Member: American Academy of Audiology, American Speech and Hearing Association,
Bay Area Audiology Group

A commitment to the community
"I'm excited to join the team at Santa Cruz Ear, Nose and Throat Group and to be a part of the unique and stimulating Santa Cruz atmosphere. I love this community and am grateful I can give something back, if even in a small way.'

Meeting a patient for the first time makes me think of my mother and her hearing problems. I treat each patient the way I want my mother to be treated-- with respect, understanding, patience, support, and by providing the best hearing solutions and quality care.

Early training for highly effective care
I was born and raised in Mexico, and grew up in a wonderful culture respecting the elderly. I have now spent half my life here in California. My first exposure to hearing and speech problems was right at home with my own mother, then as a kindergarten teacher with children who had both hearing and speech issues. It was then that I decided that I could do something to improve the quality of life of many people as an audiologist.

Licensed: Audiology, State of California
Licensed: Hearing Aid Dispenser, State of California
M.S.: Audiology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
B.A.: Communicative Disorders, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

An ongoing quest for knowledge
My career path has been as challenging as it has been rewarding, and the case of every patient encourages me to learn more so that I can provide better services and give them hope when dealing with their hearing deficiencies. My passion for learning, combined with my desire to help, remains a vital catalyst I use to sharpen my skills constantly.

Member: American Academy of Audiology (AAA), American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
Continuing education: Various seminars, conferences and special trainings on the latest technologies and diagnostic tools.
Doctoral program to begin Fall 2006

Joining a wonderful team
I am delighted to have joined the Physician's Hearing Aid Center and Santa Cruz Ear Nose and Throat Medical Group. The positive, professional, and supportive environment provides me with all the necessary tools to help you have a positive experience. Each member of this group became a role model for me while I was a student and interning here. I feel fortunate to work in this positive and professional atmosphere and look forward to spending many years as a member of such a motivating team.

Community involvement: Guest speaker to various groups promoting hearing conservation, collaborating with Sociometrics Corporation, a social science research company, in the development of a communicative disorders awareness program.