How did you get started in occupational medicine?
I began my career in the U.S. Navy. My first assignment was on the island of Guam, which was an experience that shaped a lot of how I approach medicine today. Guam is remote, so you learn quickly to be self-reliant, adaptable, and to make the best decisions you can with the resources you have. That kind of independence has carried through my whole career.
What led you to transition to Los Alamos National Laboratory?
After leaving the military, I moved into the private sector and worked in occupational medicine in Columbia, South Carolina—high volume acute care for the industrial worker. The opportunity at Los Alamos came along, and it just felt like a natural fit. I don't think of it as a bold career move, rather more of a continuation of what I'd already been doing. I've always enjoyed supporting people doing demanding work in unique environments, and that's exactly what we do here.
For people who may not be familiar, what is Los Alamos best known for?
Most people associate Los Alamos with the Manhattan Project and the development of the first atomic bombs. But what really stands out to me is how that project solved a complex national security problem in a short period of time. That mindset and bringing together the brightest minds to solve big problems is still what drives the lab today. The scope has just expanded. Now we tackle national security challenges across a wide range of fields, from nuclear safety to cybersecurity to environmental protection.
How does your clinic fit into that mission?
We're like any occupational medicine clinic in that we see workplace injuries and handle medical surveillance exams, but the work we do can be very specialized. We have around 18,000 employees, from Nobel Prize–winning scientists to construction crews and administrative staff, and we support all of them. Some of our cases are routine, but others can be pretty unique. I recently treated a rattlesnake bite, and we've managed cases involving plutonium contamination, hydrogen fluoride exposure, and many other chemical hazards. Being located in the mountains of northern New Mexico also means we occasionally shelter in place for wildlife and bears and bobcats aren't unheard of.
That sounds like a wide range of work. What does your day-to-day look like?
In addition to treating injuries, I serve as the medical review officer for our drug testing program. We do more than 16,000 tests a year. I also review fitness-for-duty cases and help determine accommodations when someone has a medical issue that might affect their ability to safely perform their job. We have a great behavioral health department that helps us with psychological fitness-for-duty evaluations and supports employees with counseling and assessments. It's a very comprehensive program.
Tell me about your team.
I work with seven advanced practice providers along with our administrative staff, behavioral health team, industrial hygienists, and safety professionals. It's a strong, collaborative group. We also provide medical support for the Los Alamos County Fire Department and the lab's security force. Those teams handle some very specialized responses, so keeping them medically and physically ready is a big part of our mission.
You mentioned isolation earlier. How does that compare to your time in Guam?
In Guam, isolation meant being far away in terms of distance and time zones. Here, it's more about the nature of our work. Because of the security and sensitivity of what goes on at the lab, there are limits to what can be discussed outside certain circles. That can feel isolating at times, but it's also part of what makes the work unique. Both places taught me the value of teamwork and adaptability.
Looking back, do you consider your move to Los Alamos a bold one?
Not really. For me, it just made sense. The environments are different, but the mission is the same by taking care of people who serve something bigger than themselves. That's what I've always been drawn to, whether in the military or here at Los Alamos.
