Please share with us where you attended medical school and tell us about why it made the top of your list. I attended Nova Southeastern University in Ft Lauderdale, FL. It was a well-established medical school with a good reputation. Also, it helped that it was only 15 minutes away from the beach!
Please share with us where you completed residency and how/why you ended up choosing that location. I completed residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. The program has a great reputation with well renowned faculty. It was hands down the best experience I had during my entire interview season.
Tell us more about how you came to choose the field of medicine. I made my way to medicine during undergrad. The sciences, especially physiology, were my favorite classes. Medicine just seemed like the perfect path for me given my interests and desire to help people. I eventually ended up volunteering in the hospital and shadowing multiple physicians which only reaffirmed my initial desire to pursue medicine.
What about becoming a physician was attractive? The ability to use my knowledge and skills to help patients and their families seemed like one of the most rewarding career paths someone could choose.
How did you choose Emergency Medicine as your specialty? It was really the only specialty I could ever see myself in after medical school. I was attracted to the breadth of medicine that is seen on a daily basis, the fast-paced nature of the emergency department, and the lifesaving care that is provided.
What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day practice? I enjoy the randomness of each day and not knowing exactly what I’ll see on any given shift. I also really enjoy being part of a team that helps provide quality care to patients daily.
What led you to practice with MEMA? How long have you been with MEMA? I am fortunate to have just joined the MEMA team. I was interested in joining a physician-run group that had an excellent reputation in the area and was known for providing exceptional patient care. MEMA checked those boxes.
Has there been one patient, staff member, or caregiver story that has stuck with you?Hard to pick just one. I’ll just say that I am constantly in awe of the care and compassion I see from the people working in the emergency department. Everyone from custodial staff, techs, nurses and physicians/PAs/NPs, I feel like everyone consistently goes above and beyond their job duties to help patents and each other during each and every shift. It makes me proud to have gone into the field of medicine.
Are you a member of any associations, societies, or organizations? I am a member of American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
Have you received any awards or been recognized from your peers? If so, tell us about it! I was given the award for best resident teacher my senior year of residency. Emergency medicine education is of great interest to me, and I was proud and honored to have received the award from my colleagues who I respect so much.
Who/what did you want to be as a child? I wanted to be a professional football player as a child. Lack of talent and physical ability prevented me from achieving that dream.
What about Charlotte excites you? It’s the perfect city for me and my family with so much to offer and to do. Lots of outdoor activities, restaurants, sports. It’s close to lakes, mountains, and the coast. Honestly, couldn’t be happier living here!
Do you have any Hobbies, interests, or secret powers that are unique to you?I love to golf, mountain bike, and enjoy the outdoors. My interests tend to be what my kid’s interests are. Right now, we really like soccer, video games, and ice cream.