As a Doctor of Osteopathy at First Primary Care, Derek offers patients the best of both worlds: innovative treatments and old-fashioned compassion. He believes in taking the time to understand each patient’s unique journey and advocating for them on their road to wellness. Before joining First Primary Care, Derek gained valuable experience working with major hospital organizations in Houston.
Derek’s interest in teaching and education began early on in his academic journey during high school and college, but changes in the education field led him to pursue medicine instead. He found the physician-patient dynamic intriguing and saw it as an opportunity to educate patients on basic health literacy. As Derek states, “I have often seen myself as an educator first and a clinician second because for me the core of primary care is sharing knowledge to empower people to make informed decisions about their health.”
When not working, Derek enjoys exploring new culinary experiences with his wife, as well as traveling and immersing himself in different cultures. He also has a passion for tinkering with electronics and has been an avid video gamer since childhood, although less so in adulthood.