Please tell us which program you chose for your Physician Assistant studies. Why did this program make the top of your list?
I attended East Carolina University’s Physician Assistant Program for my PA training. When interviewing with the program, I immediately connected well with the faculty and could tell how much they cared about the success of their students. ECU’s PA program also stood out for its academic rigor and commitment to serving rural communities in North Carolian.
Tell us more about how you came to choose the field of medicine. What about becoming a PA was attractive?
My path into medicine was not the average segue; I was an outdoor loving soil science major before I had quite the change of direction in my interests. I spent multiple summers in college volunteering as a camp counselor for an organization known as Camp Kesem which provides a week of free summer camp for children with parents affected by cancer, and along the way I developed a desire to find a career that was going to put service for others front and center.
Medicine seemed like the most logical choice as it blended my passion for science and goal to lead an altruistic life. It was when I learned about the PA profession from my future wife that I was fully enthralled in pursuing medicine. PAs are adaptable, trained to work in multiple specialties, and prioritize team-based practices and coming from someone who was on a mission to expand access to health care; all of these made choosing a career in this field quite alluring.
How did you choose Emergency Medicine as your specialty?
They say variety is the spice of life… but in all seriousness, emergency medicine is a demanding specialty that requires a broad clinical knowledge, adept hands-on skills, and keen sense of which patients must be prioritized first. I had experienced the emergency room first as an ER technician and later on during my clinical rotation, and had no doubt that this would be what I intended to pursue as a new graduate PA.
What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day practice?
I love the team-based nature of the emergency room. Whether you are consulting an ancillary service, collaborating with your fellow colleagues, or working side by side with the numerous ER staff to treat the many patients, there is rarely a time when collaboration amongst the healthcare team is not needed. The ER presents the rare opportunity to treat a diverse patient population and a wide variety of medical specialties all in one setting.
What led you to practice with MEMA?
I learned about MEMA through a colleague who had only wonderful things to say about their APP Post-Graduate Training Program with MEMA as well as the support she continues to receive while practicing with this group. Emergency medicine presents many unique challenges to new graduate providers, so it was reassuring to learn how much MEMA invests in developing strong, autonomous practitioners. My interactions with the team during the interview process only reaffirmed what I had already been told, so it was an easy choice when I was fortunate enough to be granted this opportunity.
Has there been one patient, staff member, or caregiver story that has stuck with you?
While on my clinical rotation in the medical ICU, I was taking part in the care of a patient with severe aortic stenosis. The patient could only communicate via pen and paper due to being intubated for respiratory support. Every morning, we would discuss the results and details of the treatment plan with the patient while we would wait patiently for them to express their questions, concerns, and ailments through writing. Some days we would spend well over an hour ensuring the patient was well informed about his care and he could communicate any concerns he may have had. The patient and the family always thanked us for our unrushed approach to communication, and their gratitude is a reminder to slow down and ensure every patient feels heard no matter the circumstances.
What are some of the biggest challenges of your practice, for a clinician practicing in the emergency department?
What attracts many ER providers is also one of its greatest challenges: the vastly broad scope of practice. From the very old to the infantile, providers must possess robust clinical knowledge to work through a differential efficiently, taking caution not to miss life-threatening conditions all the while maintaining a pace to keep up with a busy ER. Throw on staff shortages, a burgeoning population of patients in need of care, and social inequities (such as limited access to preventative care and a dearth of mental health resources) and it becomes all the more arduous. Despite the many challenges of working in emergency medicine, it remains a privilege to provide quality care to patients.
Are you a member of any associations, societies, or organizations? Any leadership roles?
I am a member with the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA).
Have you received any awards or been recognized by your peers? If so, tell us about it!
During my PA training, I was selected to participate in a grant to improve access to mental health care resources in rural family medicine clinics. With my family medicine rotation, I worked alongside clinical psychology doctoral students to bring telehealth resources to the patients. Those who utilized the service reported benefiting from their participation and were keen to share their gratitude when we had a chance to follow up. It was an invaluable experience to take part in an initiative to help expand mental health services.
What about Charlotte excites you?
My wife and I will be relocating from the Northern Virginia area and are excited to be closer to family, within a short drive to the NC mountains, and explore all that Charlotte has to offer!
Do you have any hobbies, interests, or secret powers that are unique to you?
My main hobbies/interests outside of medicine revolve around all things outdoors; I love to cycle, run, hike, backpack, and camp. You can usually find me cruising along a greenway or climbing a mountain whenever free time allows!