As I look back at my humble beginnings, I realize how blessed I am to be an American citizen. I was born in Cambodia. My family, who are of ethnic Chinese origin, lived in Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, it was during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Because of the killing fields, my family was forced to leave Cambodia. I was four years-old when we traveled over the mountain passes at great risk to our lives to reach the safety of Thailand. We lived in a Thai refugee camp for a year under very spartan conditions.

We were blessed to immigrate to the United States because of the goodwill of a Christian family in Fort Worth, Texas. After living for a year in Fort Worth, we moved to Fontana, California, which is where I grew up. With the help of family members and friends, I was able to graduate class valedictorian from Fontana High School in 1992. I was accepted to UCLA and majored in biochemistry. I graduated with summa cum laude honors in 1996.

Following this, I was accepted and pursued my medical education at the University of Iowa College of Medicine graduating with my medical degree in the year 2000. Iowa is and was a wonderful training facility for young physicians. However, the cold weather in Iowa was not to my liking. Therefore, I spent my medical internship at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, California. I returned to the Midwest and completed my ophthalmology residency training at Saint Louis University in June 2004.

Because of my original love of Texas, I feel privileged to return to El Paso. The weather and the people are very consistent with the way of life I enjoy. I will be working at Schuster Eye Center helping Dr. Stephen Schuster and Dr. Michael Foote in the area of comprehensive ophthalmology, cataract surgery, pterygium surgery, oculoplastic procedures, and glaucoma treatment.

Throughout my life, I have been blessed by many caring people that I have met along the way. I feel that my career in El Paso with Schuster Eye Center will be very fruitful. My greatest hope is that I can return the kindness that has enriched my life and allowed me to survive. To the best of my abilities I will place the needs and well-being of my patients first in my practice of medicine in El Paso.

I am single at the present time. My parents and brothers still live in Southern California.
My hobbies include all sports activities, especially basketball. I have always been a fan of the LosAngeles Lakers. Coin collecting and numismatics is another interest of mine. Recently, with slightly more free time than in my training days, I enjoy cooking and hope to improve my culinary skills.

Curriculum Vitae

Education
Board Certified - American Board of Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology Residency
Saint Louis University (Saint Louis, MO)

Transitional Year Internship
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (Colton, CA)

Doctor of Medicine
University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)

Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry)
University of California at Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
Department Highest Honors
Summa Cum Laude

Fontana High School (Fontana, CA)
Valedictorian