Please share with us where you attended medical school and tell us about why it made the top of your list.
I attended medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. Growing up near Penn State, the area always felt familiar and grounded to me, and I appreciated the strong sense of community that came with the program. This school was attractive to me because they are well connected to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The proximity to a large tertiary care center made it easy to gain exposure to multiple medical specialties when deciding what residency to choose. It felt like a place where I could grow both professionally and personally.
Please share with us where you completed residency and how/why you ended up choosing that location.
I completed my emergency medicine residency at Orlando Regional Medical Center. This program offered a high-acuity, fast-paced environment with exposure to a broad range of pathology and patient populations. I was drawn to the location because it provided strong clinical volume, diverse experiences, and a supportive learning culture. I ranked them high on my list due to the welcoming people and warm weather during my interview. Growing up in the northeast I was more than ready for a change in location and weather.
Tell us more about how you came to choose the field of medicine.
I was drawn to medicine because it combines science, problem-solving, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I’ve always enjoyed working in high-pressure environments and being part of a team working toward a common goal. Over time, I realized medicine offered the perfect combination of intellectual challenge, human connection, and lifelong learning.
What about becoming a physician was attractive?
What attracted me most was the ability to directly help people during some of the most important and vulnerable moments of their lives. I also appreciated that medicine requires constant growth and adaptability. No two patients are exactly alike, and that complexity keeps the work both challenging and rewarding.
How did you choose Emergency Medicine as your specialty?
Emergency medicine felt like the natural fit for my personality and interests. I enjoy the fast-paced environment, the variety of cases, and the need to think critically and make decisions quickly. I also value the teamwork that exists within the emergency department. Every shift brings something different, and I enjoy being able to care for patients of all backgrounds and acuity levels.
What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day practice?
One of the things I enjoy most is the unpredictability and variety of Emergency Medicine. I appreciate the opportunity to treat everything from critically ill patients to those who simply need reassurance and guidance. I also enjoy the collaborative environment of the emergency department and working closely with nurses, technicians, consultants, and support staff to provide the best care possible.
What led you to practice with MEMA? How long have you been with MEMA?
I was drawn to MEMA because of its strong reputation for physician leadership, quality patient care, and supportive practice environment. I appreciated the emphasis on teamwork and the shared commitment to providing excellent emergency care.
Has there been one patient, staff member, or caregiver story that has stuck with you?
As a resident I had several attending physicians that I looked up to. They could always be counted on to treat each patient with compassion, while providing the best value-based care. I try to emulate them when I see and treat patients.
What are some of the biggest challenges of your practice, for a clinician practicing in the emergency department?
Emergency medicine requires balancing efficiency, rapid decision-making, and compassionate care in a constantly changing environment. One of the biggest challenges is managing high patient volumes and varying acuity while ensuring each patient feels heard and cared for. Another challenge is navigating uncertainty, often making important decisions with limited information and evolving clinical situations.
Are you a member of any associations, societies, or organizations?
Not currently but I look forward to advocating for the field of emergency medicine in the future.
Have you received any awards or been recognized from your peers? If so, tell us about it!
In residency I received a Sally Award, an award handed out by our resident class for great saves in the department. During my rotation in the trauma ICU, I received a Dumpster Fire Award from the nursing staff for staying past my shift to care for a critically ill patient.
Who/what did you want to be as a child?
As a child, I was always interested in science, the outdoors, and problem-solving. I enjoyed learning how things worked and was drawn to careers that involved helping people and staying active. Looking back, Emergency Medicine ended up being a natural fit for many of those same interests.
What about Charlotte excites you?
What excites me most about Charlotte is the balance it offers between a growing city and easy access to the outdoors. I enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, and fishing, so having access to both urban amenities and nearby mountains and trails is very appealing. Charlotte also has a strong sense of community and an active lifestyle that fits well with my interests.
Do you have any hobbies, interests, or secret powers that are unique to you?
I played water polo in high school and college. I still play today through adult recreation leagues.