Daniel Okubo, MD

What is your practice philosophy? Partnering with patients with a focus on prevention, making steady incremental changes towards tangible goals. 

What are you passionate about? And why? I am passionate about caring for patients with substance use disorders and chemical dependence. This work is challenging but with the right supports, people do get better and can recover. I find these interactions among the most rewarding in medicine.  

If I wasn’t a provider, I would be a: Park ranger because I love being in nature and grew up going to Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, where my father worked studying earthquakes.  

Why did you become a provider? When did you know this was the career for you? I have always wanted to help others. What set medicine apart from other careers is how important learning about patients and their stories is to helping them live healthier and happier lives.   

Something I have learned from my patients is: I have learned that everyone is on their own journey with its unique challenges and it is a privilege to be able to be a part of their lives.  

One of the challenges of this career that I enjoy is (and why): One of the challenges of medicine that I enjoy is showing up to work and having to do my best each day. I enjoy constantly trying to be a better physician and finding ways to improve the way I care for patients.  

My personal health goal is: To take advantage of the diverse farming community in Minnesota and incorporate more locally grown vegetables into my diet and balance out my favorite food, cheeseburgers.