Please tell us where you attended medical school and why it was at the top of your list.
I attended Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas. When I interviewed, the professors and students I met were such wonderful people and everyone made me feel at home. There, I found a great educational experience and made many lifelong friends who I am proud to call my colleagues now.
Please share with us where you completed your residency and how/why you chose that location.
From 2016-2019, I did my Emergency Medicine residency at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC. It was a month-long visiting rotation, and it was apparent from the beginning that the attendings were top leaders in the field of EM. Between the docs and my co-residents, it was an honor learning from some of the best talent practicing in our field.
Tell us more about how you came to choose the field of medicine.
Originally, in high school, I wanted to be an architect. It wasn’t until my senior year that I shadowed a few surgeons at CMC where I realized being a physician was my true calling. The impact of what we do day to day, being entrusted with our patient’s health, is not lost on me. Having a career that had that substantial impact and meaning within the community was important. The human connection we create is everything when we care for patients.
How did you choose Emergency Medicine as your specialty?
As they say, EM doctors are the jacks of all trades. We see newborn patients as well as people who have celebrated their 100th birthdays. The variety of acuity, illnesses, and injuries we treat in this specialty is unique to what we do. Most importantly, I chose emergency medicine because of the opportunity we have to care for people when they are at their most vulnerable, as often is the case when patients come to the ER.
What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day practice?
Working alongside other wonderful docs, APPs, nurses, and staff every day is the most enjoyable party of going to work every day. Getting to diagnose and treat anything and everything that comes through those doors keeps the work challenging.
What led you to practice with MEMA? How long have you been with MEMA?
Recently, I have joined MEMA and will start working clinical shifts in January of 2025. I have always wanted to be part of a private democratic local group that has autonomy and control of their practice.
The leadership and people I have met at MEMA have all been outstanding individuals. The doctors and APPs they have are very experienced and come from great training programs. Many of whom have been with the organization for over a decade and it really shows how much people love working for MEMA.
Has there been one patient, staff member, or caregiver story that has stuck with you?
I could share so many stories about being an ER doctor—some too depressing, some too disturbing, some funny, and some even cheerful.
I did have a patient who came in with acute heart failure and respiratory failure that ended up going into cardiac arrest at a freestanding ER. We got her intubated, pulses back and started on a few different cardiac drips. This patient was only middle aged, and all things were pointing to brain damage after this unfortunate event. However, to my surprise, this patient was discharged and back home within a week with no long-term issues. Both the patient and her daughter came back to thank me and our team. That was a special moment and one that has always stuck with me.
What are some of the biggest challenges of your practice, for a clinician practicing in the emergency department?
There are many potential challenges. Ranging from nursing and ancillary staffing shortages, to boarding and a waiting room full of critical patients including bounce backs of non-compliant patients, social deficits that prevent adequate access to care, and workplace violence. Not all of these are specific to any particular ER but are general challenges most ER physicians face.
Are you a member of any associations, societies, or organizations?
I am a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and am American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Board Certified.
Who/what did you want to be as a child?
As a child, I wanted to be an architect or an airline pilot.
What about Charlotte excites you?
I grew up in Charlotte and it has exponentially grown over the years. What used to be rural empty areas on the outskirts are now all bustling with new neighborhoods, shopping centers, and restaurants. It’s very exciting to see the growth, just not excited about the ever-increasing traffic!
There’s so much here in terms of professional sports, entertainment venues, breweries, great food, and parks. For me, though, with two young children, the most important thing is that it’s very family-friendly and a great place to raise a family.
Do you have any Hobbies, interests, or secret powers unique to you?
I enjoy the mountains, snowboarding, boating, aviation, travel, precious time with family, cooking, and cheering on my USC Gamecocks!
Do you have any secret superpowers?
I don’t think I have any secret powers…at least none I’ve discovered yet!