My Journey to opening Juniper Allergy
Though it may sound cliche, I became a physician because of a desire to help and heal others. It was something ingrained in me early in my life.
I grew up the granddaughter of a doctor who served the small town of Yoakum, Texas and its nearby communities. In fact, hanging on my wall as one enters the Juniper Allergy clinic patients will see a receipt from the birth of my mother, who was delivered by my dad’s dad. It is significant not just because of the family connection unique to small town living, but the document serves as a reminder of the personal care my grandfather so compassionately delivered to his patients. They were everything to him. Though my grandfather passed before I was born, stories about how he treated and cared for the people in his community filled my heart and mind early on. As a result, they inspired me to explore the sciences and study biology at A & M University as an undergraduate student and go on to medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine. I then completed my residency training in Galveston, Texas followed by Allergy and Immunology fellowship training.
In all, I was in school for over 13 years in order to become Board-Certified in Allergy and Immunology.
The years, work, and intense study enabled me to be exactly where I am today doing exactly what I love – helping people live life in Texas feeling well, productive, and healthy despite some pretty notorious allergens.
Allergy and Immunology is about as crucial to Texas as darn good barbecue.
San Antonio, Texas ranks fifth in country’s most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies, according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America! The 2022 report looked at spring pollen scores, fall pollen scores, over-the-counter medicine use, and availability of board-certified allergists.
The Alamo City is home to so many of the same kinds of trees, that when our trees pollenate, the pollen counts are intense. Many of the patients I treat are assaulted by these high counts of pollen. Mountain Cedar and Oak are two such pollens. We have patients here who have never had allergies in their lives but when they come in contact with Texas pollen so thick it coats car s and sidewalks, it also coats their eyes, nose, and lungs. It is something most people have not experienced outside of our South Texas environment.
As such, I approach my patients with compassion and understanding, as a lifelong Texan myself. I get it and have even suffered myself.
In addition, my team at Juniper Allergy delivers a level of patient care that is not only specialized but individualized. No two people’s immune systems are exactly alike. Nor should be their treatment for allergies, asthma, or immune deficiencies.
Also, I am obsessed with creating effective immunotherapy serums for my allergy patients.
And during skin testing, I insist on interpreting the results and communicating those results with my patients while involving them in their care.
To undergo allergy immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, requires commitment by the patient. While I know a person can be rid of his or her allergies after five years of allergy immunotherapy, I want the patient to be all-onboard so that we achieve the best outcome ensuring the patient is comfortable and happy doing so.
That is the good news about allergy, asthma, and immunology and part of what drew me to it. A wide availability of treatments and exciting new ones mean Texans don’t have to suffer. In fact, allergies don’t even have to slow one down.
Allergies are a fixable problem.
Together at Juniper Allergy, we can find a solution that works and works well. Just like my grandfather who left his home in the middle of the night to care for patients in need, I am enthusiastically committed to my patient’s best interest and care.