Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised by immigrant parents in the Ukrainian Village community of Chicago. Higher education at the University of Chicago, with a BA in Biology and a subsequent M.D. from the Pritzker School of Medicine. Clinical training with Residency in Internal Medicine at Michael Reese Hospital, then Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), followed by a UCSF faculty position in the Department of Hematology/Oncology pursuing basic research, teaching, and clinical care. Then he pursued private consultative practice in Medical Oncology and Hematology as a partner at EPIC Care in the East Bay, with over 25 years of experience in the care of patients and participation in medical leadership, including hospital Chief of Staff and Chair of Hematology/Oncology services.  Retired from active practice in 2024, with ongoing medical voluntary activity.