I was born and raised in the beautiful Russian city of Saint Petersburg.  Soon after I graduated from St. Petersburg State Medical Academy, life brought me to the United States.  I fell in love with this country and especially with this gorgeous part of the Appalachian region, a place I now call home.  While working in a small rural clinic nearby I met many warm and caring people.  They welcomed me to their community, introduced me to their families, and I learned how important it is to attend to the social, spiritual and cultural aspects of their lives. I became fascinated with family medicine.