I’m Iko (sounds like eco-friendly), a physician board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics who combines data and storytelling to advance public health.
I enjoy turning evidence into tools and stories that promote health and well-being. My work draws on training in quantitative and qualitative research, experience in public health monitoring and emergency response, and a commitment to medical education, community engagement, quality improvement, and community partnership.
Learning from Data
My work focuses on using data to guide health policy and ensure it reflects the communities it affects. As a Filipino American, I have seen how smaller communities can disappear when numbers are grouped too broadly. I draw on my research training to make sure every story, every life behind the data, is seen, understood, and used to shape better choices for health.
Storytelling
I am inspired by stories about science and the science of storytelling. Rooted in the Filipino practice of kwentuhan — story-sharing that builds knowledge and empathy — I use narrative to make complex ideas accessible and to motivate change. In my teaching and public health work, I connect evidence with people in ways that build trust and inspire action.
We build health together.
Community and population health are more than the sum of individual health. In my work, I draw on collective efficacy: the shared belief that a community can work together to achieve common goals. Meaningful change depends on relationships, coordination, and trust. Across my projects, I build on these communal strengths to promote health and belonging.
