Basics
Hometown
Potomac, MD
Medical School
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Residency
University of Virginia
Career Goals
To become an excellent clinician! I also have a special interest in women's preventative and reproductive health in patients with autoimmune disease.
What were you looking for in a fellowship program?
I wanted a collaborative learning environment at a high-volume academic center. Rheumatology is a specialty full of “zebras,” so I wanted a program where I would see as much pathology as possible in a relatively short 2-year fellowship.
Reflections on the Duke Program and Durham
What are the strengths of the Duke Program?
The community! What initially drew me to Duke were the academic rigor and diversity of patients, but what led me to ranking the program so highly were the people. After my interview day, I was blown away by how warm and welcoming all of the faculty and fellows were. That has remained true to this day. Rheumatology can feel like an abyss of new information, but everyone has been so patient and eager to teach. It’s a joy learning in such a safe environment.
What has surprised you most about Duke?
The complexity of patients. The folks we see on consults are often quite sick and very complicated, but I learn something new from every case, which will undoubtedly make me a stronger clinician moving forward.
What is the best thing about living in Durham and the Triangle?
To me, it’s a perfectly-sized city. Durham has all the amenities I could want in an area that still feels like a community. There’s always something to do and, luckily, this fellowship program has provided me with friends to do things with :)
What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Durham?
Do it! I’ve lived in both major and small cities. To me, Durham is the perfect size and has something for everyone.
What are your interests outside of medicine?
Cooking, live entertainment, exploring The Triangle’s restaurant scene with my partner Beau, going to the dog park with my goldendoodle Archie, and forever trying to please my cat Orson.