Start Year: 2021
Basics
Hometown
Millersburg, IN
Where did you attend college/university?
Ball State University (Muncie, IN)
Where did you attend medical school?
Indiana University
What are your career goals?
I am hoping to pursue a fellowship in gastroenterology or pulmonary & critical care medicine after residency. I would also like to continue to be involved in medical education.
Reflections on the Duke Program
What were you looking for in a residency program?
I was looking for a program with a supportive program director and a good balance between education and autonomy.
What are the strengths of the Duke Program?
The people here are the biggest strength of the program. Everyone is incredibly kind, supportive and wonderful to learn from. Another strength of this program is the wide array of patient populations and patient presentations we see here between the university and the VA. The 4+2 schedule is also wonderful for work-life balance.
What are your observations about the relationships between faculty and house staff?
All of the faculty are incredibly supportive of the house staff and are excited to teach.
Tell us about your co-residents. What has helped you connect, support each other, and form friendships?
My co-residents are phenomenal and have helped make the move to Durham and transition to residency so much easier! The program organizes events for us to get together and our class GroupMe is always bumpin!
What has surprised you most about Duke?
How down to earth and humble everyone is!
About Duke University and Durham
What is the best thing about living in Durham and the Triangle?
I love being able to have a lot of different things to do outdoors, and of course there are so many great places to eat. There is also very little traffic, which makes life much easier on long inpatient days.
How does the Triangle appeal to people of diverse backgrounds?
The Triangle is very vibrant and I have found that the plethora of colleges and universities in the surrounding areas has cultivated a very inclusive community for people with different backgrounds, interests and careers.
Where did you choose to live and why?
I chose to live in an apartment complex close to the hospital. I knew that I was going to working some long hours and wanted to be close so that I wouldn't have to worry about a long commute. I am NOT a morning person, so my three minute commute to the parking garage is a live saver.
What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Durham?
Everything in Durham is very accessible. If you're not wanting to live downtown or right by the hospital it's still an easy trip to wherever you are trying to go, whether that be to work, to a brewery, or a Durham Bulls baseball game.
What are your interests outside of medicine?
I enjoy hiking, practicing hot vinyasa and Bikram yoga, and trying all of the local ice cream spots in Durham. All of which I have been able to do since starting residency!