I grew up in Michigan and learned to ski as a young child. In spite of Michigan’s short icy hills, I loved it. At age 12 my Dad took me skiing in Colorado and I fell in love with the mountains. As we rode home I watched the mountains recede through the back window; as I did so I knew I would one day live in the west.

I went to undergraduate school in the frigid, yet beautiful upper peninsula of Michigan (of course to race on the ski team). In addition to skiing, I met a PM&R (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) physician, Mike Coyne. As I watched him help people with quadriplegia and strokes, do nerve tests, and work with athletes, I knew PM&R was for me. I really enjoyed the creativity, innovation, and diversity PM&R offers in helping people live life.

I completed medical school and PM&R residency at the University of Michigan. After completing residency, I applied for a job at the University of Utah. It was late November when the PM&R department chairman drove me up the canyon and parked the car at the Alta ski area. I took the job immediately. Actually, the rehabilitation program looked great too, but my love for skiing made the decision easier.

For over 30 years, I have worked with children and adults with neurologic conditions. The foundation of my practice is helping patients find ways to use brain plasticity to improve their function.

For 26 years I worked at the University of Utah. I was a professor, doing research, teaching, and treating patients. I was also the medical director of the Rehabilitation Service at Primary Children’s Hospital. In 2012 I began a private practice called Utah Neuro Rehabilitation. In addition, I ski raced with Park City Masters program for many years. I also hiked and biked.

I started coming to Idaho Falls in 1989 to treat patients at the Health Department. More recently, I have had the great fortune to work at the Rocky Mountain Spine & Sport.

Working in the field of PM&R and helping people better move, talk, think, function and live life has been a profound privilege.