Jet Ho, MD, PhD

Bio

Born and raised in Hong Kong, I attended Cornell University after finishing high school overseas. I spent a total of nine years in Boston finishing my MD degree and my PhD degree majoring in biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine. After one year of internship at the Boston University Medical Center, I joined the Neurology Training Program at Stanford University for my specialty training.

In the summer of 2003, I joined the Neurology department at the Permanente Medical Group in Santa Rosa. My area of interests in Neurology includes Parkinson’s disease, stroke and seizure management. In addition, I also actively participate in the clinical research program headed by Dr. Bernstein. My biggest challenge today is to help improving the inpatient stroke care in our Santa Rosa hospital through a national certification program. Our goal is help everyone in the community to prevent strokes through better access to healthcare, lifestyle changes and education.

In the last few years, I have rediscovered my passion for underwater activities. You will find some underwater pictures on the wall when you come for your visit.

My Medical Specialty

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

Movement disorder and stroke

Current projects or research:

As a medical director of the stroke center, I worked with all the nurses and physicians in the hospital. Santa Rosa Kaiser acheived the designation of primary stroke center certification in 2009.

Photos from My Training Years or of Practicing Medicine in My Field:

Group Photo

Interests

Great movie:
Kung Fu Hustle

Hobby Photos & Links:

Underwater photo

Underwater photo

Underwater photo

Underwater photo

Scuba Diving

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My wife and I love to travel when time allows. We adore the Japanese culture. She had a special interest in traditional Japanese arts and crafts.

Photos of my Family & Friends:

Kyoto

Travel

An adventure I've had:

Watching sunsets can be the most exciting experience. One late afternoon in early fall, I crawled into the back of a small Cessna aircraft. The only seat in the plane was for the pilot. The plane took off right before sunset. It ascended several thousand feet above the ground between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake in Upstate New York. My instructor opened the door of the aircraft and told me to climb out onto the wing. I hung on the crossbar for a while. The first few seconds after releasing my hands was a blur. After all, this was the first time I jumped out of a plane. A few seconds later, my parachute opened and I was floating in the sky. The sunset at a few thousand feet above ground was gorgeous. I had unobstructed views from all sides. The foliage beneath my feet was turning red and brown in the fall season. The sun was descending behind the hills. The mountains, the lake and the trees looked like miniature models from afar. There was almost absolute silence except for the sound of the wind.

Favorite place in the world:

I often find the Japanese culture amazing. On one hand, it strives for preserving every bit of heritage and tradition. On the other hand, it adopts and transforms Western influence into its modernism. Yet the two worlds, traditionalism and modernism, blend seamlessly. Although Japan failed its occupation of many Asian countries decades ago, its post-war culture definitely penetrates many Pacific Rim countries today.

My last trip to Tokyo was several years ago. My "Lost in Translation" experience started as soon as I passed through customs. The Tokyo airport was 60 miles out of town. The lady staffing the bus and train ticket booth at the international airport did not understand a word of English. With hand gestures and a few broken Japanese words, my wife and I managed to find our way into the city. The hotel staff tried very hard to be helpful. They spoke Japanese ve---ry s----low----ly, but that didn't help me a bit. Fortunately, ordering in a restaurant was relatively easy. We took the waiter to their display window, and pointed to the dish on display.

Amongst all the odd experiences, we walked into a traditional restaurant. This restaurant was a family-run business for more than a century. The guest sat on Tatami (a bamboo mattress on the floor). The waitresses were dressed in kimonos. The restaurant had no menus, and served a single dish, fresh chicken cooked in special soy-based sauce. We sat in front of a coal burning stove, with a square cast iron deep dish pan sitting on top. The waitress prepared the entire meal before us on the stove. I don't know whether it was the best chicken I have ever had, but it was undoubtedly the priciest chicken I ever had.

One of my recent trips:

The Florida Keys are beautiful. After a recent conference meeting, my wife and I drove through the Everglades and along the Overseas Highway all the way down to Key West. When you travel down there, don't forget to try the Key Lime pie on the Keys. Key Lime pie is absolutely delicious in Key West.

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

Tokyo, #3

Tokyo, #2

Tokyo, #1

Trip Photos:

In the Florida Keys, #3

In the Florida Keys, #2

In the Florida Keys, #1