Basics

Hometown
Blowing Rock, NC

Medical School
UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Residency
Duke University

Career Goals
I aspire to be a rheumatologist specialized in care for people with advanced rheumatic disease, with a focus on patient disease education and advance care planning/goals of care surrounding their rheumatic disease prognosis.

What were you looking for in a fellowship program?
I was looking for a program with a wide range of expertise in different rheumatologic diseases with great mentorship and colleagues.
 

Reflections on the Duke Program and Durham

What are the strengths of the Duke Program?
A fantastic PD, co-fellows, and exposure to wide breadth of clinical experiences. We have access to numerous rheumatologists who are leaders in their subspecialty within rheumatology, ranging from reproductive rheumatology to scleroderma to lupus to inflammatory eye disease to rheumatology-oncology and more!

What has surprised you most about Duke?
As a first-year fellow, I worked closely with APP fellows who are now practicing APP rheumatologists in our division. This was something I did not expect coming in, and it was truly a wonderful experience to train with them and it most certainly enhanced my overall training experience and my ability to work with a multidisciplinary team. 

What is the best thing about living in Durham and the Triangle?
The weather! We have an amazing spring and fall, and yes, the summers are steamy, but it’s great, and the winters are mild. I love spending time outdoors and there are ample opportunities to do this in the Triangle, no matter the season.

What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Durham?
Do it! Durham is a great place to the live, and the training you will receive through the Duke Rheumatology Fellowship Program will be outstanding.

What are your interests outside of medicine?
Playing with my dog Rafi, gardening with native plants, yoga, biking, tennis, and exploring new restaurants in the area with my husband.