I was born in Carting, Minas Gerais Brazil in 1963 and emigrated with my Brazilian Mother and Peruvian Father in 1964. I lived in Chicago until I was 12 when I moved to Michigan. I attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelors in Science in 1985. I attended the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School and graduated in 1989. I did my Residency in Internal Medicine and Cardiology Fellowship at the Medical of Wisconsin from 1989 to 1995. I did an interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern hosptial from 1998 to 1999. I am an Interventional and Structural Cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern hospital and have practiced there since 2000. I have lived in Eden Prairie since beginning my practice. I am married with three children
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family. Do you have any pets?
Married with three children. They are all adults two in college one graduated. I have fish and a dog
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Eden Prairie?
Since 2000.
Q: What inspired you, or led you to your current career/endeavor? What do you love the most about what you do?
My trajectory to medicine began at the University of Michigan with colleagues of like mindset. Treating disease process is challenging and fascinating. No person with disease is alike and the various clinical presentations offer a fascinating and humbling opportunity to manage complex cardiovascular disease. The diversity of disease in the context of the human condition provides constant learning opportunities and building on past experiences.
Q: What are some of you favorite restaurants in Eden Prairie?
Buca de Beppo, India Palace, Crave, Wildfire Grill, and Redstone.
Q: What is you favorite season? Favorite holiday?
My favorite season is summer. My favorite holiday is Christmas
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
I would travel to all places of historical relevance such as Greece, Italy, China, Israel, Mexico and South America. Origins of civilization is fascinating and there is much to learn from previous cultures
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Visit the origins of my family in Peru and Brazil
Q: Who or what inspires you to be a better person?
My wife and children.
Q: What is something unique or interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have many interests outside of cardiology such as religious history, music, oil painting, model rocketry. I also am the chair of my church board.
Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show?
Back to the future series, Star Trek.
Q: What advice do you like to share with other people?
When choosing a career path, not knowing what field to pursue is not a liability but an asset. This allows you to have a more open mind, see all the options as you try different classes and fields in college. This will lead you to unlimited opportunities and pathways. The best thing that ever happened to me was that I did not know what I wanted to do. Even though this came with struggle, it lead me to a wonderful career path
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
Still practicing cardiology but taking the opportunity to pursue other interests like travel, painting.
Q: If you could have lunch with someone alive or not, who would you choose, and why?
My father passed in 2012. I would love to sit down and catch up with him, to share how my family is doing and how all his grandchildren turned out to be such wonderful adults.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Iguacu Falls Brazil, The Grand Tetons in Wyoming.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies or activities that you enjoy?
Guitar, painting, model rocketry, traveling,and history.
Q: Are there any books that you are currently reading, or would recommend to a friend?
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. An American History of Cuba by Ada Ferrer
Q: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Time travel.
Q: What accomplishment are you the most proud of in your life?
My journey and partnership with my wife. I have learned so much from her.
Q: Finally, what are 3 words or phrases that come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, love, and happiness.
