She is a senior internist with sub-specialty board certification in both Geriatric Medicine and Hospice/Palliative Medicine. She served for five years in the dual role as Section Chief of Geriatrics and director of the Geriatric Medicine fellowship program at the Portland VA Medical Center before focusing her career in Palliative Medicine in 2001. She also staffs the Portland VAMC Palliative Care Consult team and provides regional leadership to Palliative Care Programs at all VA facilities across the Pacific Northwest. She is an active clinician-educator involved in medical student, resident, and fellow training and curriculum development.