Early Life

My formative years unfolded in the idyllic San Francisco Bay Area, in San Rafael, San Bruno, and Fremont. Our family subsequently relocated to Fresno, California, where I completed my elementary education. I spent much of my youth visiting my grandparents in Van Nuys and North Hollywood, California, with particularly cherished memories of going to Disneyland and summers at the home of my great-grandmother and great-grandfather Cash in Santa Barbara, where the presence of numerous relatives often complemented the vibrant beach life. We then moved to Independence, Missouri, while my father pursued his master's degree before ultimately settling in Vancouver, Washington, in 1970—a place I proudly declare as my hometown.

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I was actively engaged in student government during my middle and high school years. I participated in various sports, achieving success in football. I graduated from Washington State University in 1979 and subsequently attended the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, from which I graduated in 1984. My internship was completed at Letterman Army Medical Center in 1985, followed by a dermatology residency that culminated in 1991 and a skin cancer fellowship in 1994. I dedicated 16 years to service to my country in the United States Army.

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Professional Life

My inaugural job was washing dishes in a restaurant by the scenic Columbia River. Additionally, I served as an x-ray orderly at the local hospital. I worked two summers in high school at a lumber plant, diligently stacking railroad ties. Following my first year of college, I embraced the role of an emergency medical technician for an ambulance service in Portland, Oregon, working for them throughout my college years during breaks and summers. Although I was an alternate for medical school at the University of Washington after graduating from WSU, my name remained uncalled. I devoted a year to microbiology research at the University of Washington before gaining acceptance into medical school in 1980, necessitating my relocation to Bethesda, Maryland.

 

My military career spanned 16 years, during which I achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel and fulfilled various assignments. Upon finishing my internship, I served as a general medical officer at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia. After completing my dermatology residency, I became the Chief of Medicine and Chief of Dermatology at Fort Hood, Texas. Following my skin cancer fellowship, I spent six months in the Panama Canal Zone as the Army's Chief Medical Officer, caring for approximately 10,000 Cuban refugees. I concluded my military tenure as a faculty member in the Brook Army Medical Center dermatology residency program in San Antonio, Texas. Notably, ten days after my return from Panama, our daughter Maxi was born, conceived through in vitro fertilization; Sasha was 44 at the time, which led us to a pivotal decision: to continue in the Army and potentially face the peril of both being deployed away from our newborn or to seek alternative opportunities. Ultimately, we departed from military life and settled in Tyler, Texas, where I began a dermatology private practice, which flourished from a modest beginning into the largest private practice dermatology clinic in Texas. I retired from clinical practice in October 2021. However, I remain engaged in consulting and clinical work for a colleague in Georgia.

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Personal Life

I commenced my courtship with Svetislava Vukelja in 1990 while stationed at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. We had briefly crossed paths a decade earlier in medical school, yet any fleeting conversation had faded from memory. As a staff oncologist, Sasha required a dermatology consultation for one of her patients, and our collaboration blossomed into the story of our life together. Our family shares an ardent passion for travel, which has afforded us countless cherished memories. At the tender age of 13, Maxi expressed her aspiration to visit all seven continents before her 21st birthday, a feat we happily accomplished with our final expedition to Antarctica in December 2014. Among our most memorable journeys are those to Antarctica, our inaugural visit to Belgrade, Serbia, to meet Sasha's family, multiple adventures in China, and a awe-inspiring safari in Africa. One particularly memorable escapade took us to Iceland, where we ventured to Greenland; the breathtaking northern lights enchanted us, though a shift in weather left us stranded in a cozy yet confining hotel room with a singular Danish television channel for three days. We took two transformative trips to St. Petersburg, Russia, which culminated in the adoption of our son Boris, who was six years old.

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Previously, in 1979, I was married to Lezli Jean Reid; this union ultimately ended in divorce in 1990. 

 

My passion for lifelong learning remains my greatest personal pursuit, with an enduring interest in business, computers, investments, and historical biographies. We also cherish the time spent at our retreat on Lake Jacksonville, with family and friends and where I enjoyed collaborating with our neighbors on various building projects, including a boathouse.

 

Faith in Jesus has profoundly influenced my life, stemming from my father's ordained ministry. Throughout my frequent relocations post-college, I sought out churches infused with a vibrant spirit, which led me to experience Methodism, Lutheranism, Episcopalianism, and during our time in Tyler, a Baptist congregation. For two decades, my Sunday school teacher, Fred Smith, has dramatically shaped my spiritual journey. The Catholic Church played a vital role in assisting Sasha during her immigration from the former Yugoslavia, and we currently attend the local Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception while continuing attendance at our Baptist bible study.

 

My community involvement has been extensive, serving on numerous nonprofit and community boards, with honors such as the TB Butler Outstanding Citizen Award received in 2017. I hold deep gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed upon me throughout my life. While life's journey has not invariably been smooth, every challenge and opportunity has contributed to the man I have become, instilling a sentiment of no regrets.

 

I aspire for my legacy to be one of love for Jesus and my family, genuine care for my patients, and a positive influence on my colleagues, employees, and the community.

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Advise & Reflections

One should never overstate the essence of kindness. 

My father's life motto, encapsulated in the acronym PAN—Positive, Affirmative, and Nurturing—guides me in all my interactions. This steadfast principle remains an important example for me. 

 

One of my favorite songs, "Three Wooden Crosses" by Randy Travis, resonates deeply with me, especially for its meaningful lines:  

"It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you.” 

“It's what you leave behind you when you go."  ​​​​