As a physician, it has always been important for me to surround myself with like-minded people. For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in how to best serve and improve the health of my patients. I found out about Mountain Park through a colleague in 2009 and since I have in some way been involved with the organization. In my eyes, Mountain Park has always been a team-oriented and forward-thinking organization that focuses on giving people an equal opportunity at a healthy life.

I have worked in various capacities as a gastroenterologist and educator at Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University. After 7 years as the dean of the Mayo Medical School at Rochester, Minn., my wife and I moved to Arizona. I was given the opportunity to join ASU as an executive vice provost. Three months into my new role, College of Health Solutions was created and I became the founding dean helping develop the School of Science of Healthcare Delivery. Currently, I work in the provost office as a senior advisor helping coordinate ASU’s health-related activities and trying to serve as a bridge between ASU and the community, improving health.

In the early 80s, my wife and I wanted to break away from the constant cycle of school and thought to leave the east coast. We learned that the Indian Health Services in Southern Arizona had two openings, so we jumped at the chance to relocate for a year. After our flight, as we were driving through Tucson we felt like we landed on the moon. Coming from North Carolina, where it’s lush and green, it was a shock seeing the desert so vast and brown. We called Arizona our home, our son was even born here and later, my daughter came to ASU to do a dual medical and law degree that the university was offering. Having that early experience is what made moving to Arizona easier.

My wife Noralane, who was a medical geneticist at Mayo Clinic (recently retired), and I met in med school in 1975. We have two children and three grandchildren. Our son lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with his son and my daughter is here in Arizona with her husband, daughter and son. We really enjoy spending time with the grandchildren, gardening and landscaping.