Who or what has inspired you while at VCOM?
There have been so many people here at VCOM who have inspired me. One area I think best shows this is the anatomy lab here. From the faculty to my fellow classmates, everyone is always lending a helping hand or being positive. The faculty makes an effort to want us to succeed and always goes above and beyond by holding review sessions at night, anatomy practical review sessions, and always sending positive emails on the morning of anatomy test days. My classmates are always open to reviewing together and just being uplifting while in there, which really makes every day better.

How has the VCOM mission inspired you as a medical student?
The VCOM mission has inspired me as a medical student to help and try to give back to the community here in Southwest Virginia. With Blacksburg and the surrounding area taking me in through my time living here, they have inspired me to help give back to this area, and seeing first-hand how VCOM follows its mission is inspiring to me and aids me in continuing to try and replicate this difference they are making in the area.

Who or what inspired you to study medicine?
The reason I was inspired to study medicine is due to my mom's fight with Lupus. Growing up, I got to see firsthand how much of an impact a disease can have on an individual as well as a family. You begin to lose time being with them and instead spend time together at doctors' appointments, scared of the unknown or what will happen next, but seeing how the physicians would stop and just listen made a difference in these visits. They made her voice feel heard and would explain what was going on and why they would run these tests or try a specific treatment regimen. This not only helped my mom become stronger but also helped ease our fears as a family of not being able to help. Seeing the tremendous impact a physician has not only on a patient but also on the whole family is the reason why I chose to study medicine.

Why did you choose VCOM?
Applying to medical school feels like a whirlwind. Every school always clamors about its facilities and faculty, but not many schools take the time to get to know you. With VCOM, this felt different, and from my first time meeting staff members at VCOM, it felt like they genuinely wanted to get to know who I was. Also, being in Blacksburg for so long has definitely helped. Going to Virginia Tech, you always hear the saying, "This is Home," and it really is. Blacksburg is a special place where you do feel like you are home here, and with how personable VCOM is definitely made choosing to attend VCOM an easy decision.

What do you enjoy most about living in the area around your campus?
Blacksburg, VA, is a beautiful area. There are so many things to do outdoors, and being close to Virginia Tech is also fun. One weekend, you can go tubing on the New River, and the next, you could attend a Virginia Tech football game.

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to go hiking on the Appalachian Trail. My favorite hike so far has been Tinker Cliffs, which really shows off the beauty of living in Appalachia. I also like to go to the gym and playing sports especially volleyball on the sand courts in the area with my classmates.

Are you interested in a particular practice or specialty once you graduate? What has inspired your interest in this specialty?
Going through medical school has made me realize that I do not know enough about every specialty to know what I wish to go into currently fully. The best piece of advice I was given was to be open-minded and explore every opportunity you get. I do know that I wish to go into a procedural specialty, but that may change, and it makes me excited to go into my clinical rotations to be able to learn more about these different fields and what they have to offer.

The reason I was inspired to study medicine is due to my mom's fight with Lupus. Growing up, I got to see firsthand how much of an impact a disease can have on an individual as well as a family. 

Was there anything or anyone at VCOM that inspired you to become the physician you are today?
Going into VCOM, I knew I wanted to pursue surgery. The anatomy lab for me, working with the anatomy staff, helped solidify the position. My 3rd year of clinical rotations is what sold me on vascular surgery. Working with Dr. Stevenson and Dr. Downing was truly a life-changing experience. This was followed in my 4th year doing an elective prosection study in the anatomy lab, greatly set me up to start residency.

How has the VCOM mission inspired you during residency or in your practice?
VCOM instilled in me the importance of always pursuing and researching ways to improve the quality of patient care.

What is the best advice you can give a medical student to help them in their path towards being a physician?
Learn the knowledge in little chunks. Do not try to cram before an exam for two reasons: in short-term memory, you will likely forget most of the information, which is difficult to do with multiple exams a week. Instead, study every day a few hours a day to really lock in the information and ace the exams.

What are your fondest memories about your time at VCOM?
Some of my fondest memories were the group study sessions, the time doing prosections in the anatomy lab, and being involved in clubs. VCOM is completely different than undergrad because are surrounded by people that are just as driven as you with faculty that are driven to help you succeed.

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
Currently, I am still training for vascular surgery. I am very proud of my research accomplishments, having over 40 papers/presentations completed. To top that off, I won the Southern Association of Vascular Surgery S. Timothy String Presidential Award in 2024 for my work. One thing VCOM did for me was teach me the importance of helping the students, residents, and fellows under me helping them succeed as individuals have helped me. Through residency and now in fellowship, I have had the opportunity to foster students' and residents' interest in research, being their mentors and helping them on projects that ultimately got presented (to date, a total of 16 presentations). That is probably my most significant accomplishment.

When not working, what activities do you enjoy?
When not on the job, I spend my time with my three beautiful daughters, wife, and two dogs. We love exploring Texas and surrounding areas. I also am a powerlifting/ strongman competitor, so training is also a large part of my off time. Lastly, I really enjoy research and writing.

VCOM instilled in me the importance of always pursuing and researching ways to improve the quality of patient care.

Who or what has inspired you while at VCOM?
During my medical mission trip to Honduras, I had the incredible opportunity to work alongside dedicated healthcare professionals and provide care to underserved communities. Witnessing the profound impact that compassionate medical care had on patients' lives deeply moved me. This experience not only strengthened my commitment to service but also solidified my desire to become a physician. I was inspired by the resilience of the people I met and the power of medicine to bring hope and healing, and I am eager to dedicate my life to making a difference through healthcare.

How has the VCOM mission inspired you as a medical student?
VCOM’s dedication to preparing community-focused, globally minded physicians to serve rural and medically underserved populations has inspired my passion for making healthcare accessible to those who need it most. I am particularly drawn to the emphasis on holistic, patient-centered care and the commitment to advancing research that improves human health. This mission motivates me to develop the skills, knowledge, and compassion necessary to address healthcare disparities and positively impact the lives of patients in underserved communities.

Who or what inspired you to study medicine?
My cousin’s courageous battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer profoundly shaped my decision to pursue a career in medicine. Watching her strength and resilience as she navigated the physical and emotional challenges of her diagnosis inspired me to appreciate the critical role that compassionate, patient-centered care plays in the healing process. Her journey also opened my eyes to the importance of medical innovation, early detection, and comprehensive treatment plans. This personal connection to her fight against cancer fueled my passion for becoming a physician, driving my commitment to serve patients with empathy, advocate for holistic care, and contribute to advancements that improve outcomes for those facing serious illnesses.

Why did you choose VCOM?
I chose VCOM because of its strong sense of community and unwavering commitment to serving others. The supportive, family-like atmosphere at VCOM fosters collaboration, compassion, and personal growth—qualities I value deeply in my journey to become a physician. The college’s emphasis on community engagement, both locally and globally, aligns perfectly with my passion for working with underserved populations and making a meaningful impact in rural and under-resourced areas. VCOM’s holistic approach to medical education, focused on developing culturally competent, service-driven physicians, inspires me to become not only a skilled healthcare provider but also an advocate for those most in need. This nurturing environment, combined with a shared dedication to the mission of improving healthcare access, made VCOM the ideal place for me to pursue my medical career.

What do you enjoy most about living in the area around your campus?
What I enjoy most about living in the area around the VCOM campus is the incredible access to nature and outdoor activities. Surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, there are endless opportunities for hiking, biking, and exploring scenic trails, which provides a perfect balance to the demands of medical school. Additionally, being close to Virginia Tech offers a vibrant and dynamic community with access to diverse cultural, educational, and recreational resources. The combination of natural beauty and a thriving college-town atmosphere makes the area an inspiring and supportive place to live, learn, and grow.

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love to stay active and explore new experiences. I enjoy hiking through scenic trails, traveling to new places to immerse myself in different cultures, and playing pickleball for fun and fitness. I also find relaxation and creativity through coloring, which provides a great way to unwind and express myself artistically. These activities help me maintain a healthy balance and recharge while pursuing my passion for medicine.

Are you interested in a particular practice or specialty once you graduate? What has inspired your interest in this specialty?
I am particularly interested in the specialties of Dermatology, OB/GYN, and Hematology-Oncology. My passion for Dermatology grew from working in a dermatology office for two years, where I appreciated the variety within the specialty and developed a personal connection through my own experience with skin cancer. OB/GYN appeals to me because it offers a mix of surgical and clinical practice while allowing me to be part of some of the most profound moments in women’s lives, both joyful and challenging. Lastly, my interest in Hematology-Oncology is deeply inspired by my cousin’s courageous battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer, motivating my desire to provide compassionate care to patients facing similar challenges.

VCOM’s holistic approach to medical education, focused on developing culturally competent, service-driven physicians, inspires me to become not only a skilled healthcare provider but also an advocate for those most in need. 

Was there anything or anyone at VCOM that inspired you to become the physician you are today?
I am so fortunate to say that, in general, I had many professors, clinical preceptors, and classmates who inspired and pushed me to become the best physician I could be. I also owe a lot to Bill King, Dr. Edward Magalhaes, Dr. Dalkeith Facey, and Dr. Zairha Snider for always supporting me and making me feel like I could achieve anything.

How has the VCOM mission inspired you during residency or in your practice?
The VCOM mission inspired me by emphasizing the importance of viewing every patient as a 'whole—mind, body, and spirit.' This approach instilled in me the significance of addressing each patient's individual needs, concerns, and personalized care rather than categorizing them into a disease category, which can unfortunately be common in oncology. It also helped me choose an institution that prioritizes patients' overall well-being during their cancer treatment and has various integrative and supportive oncology teams.

What is the best advice you can give a medical student to help them in their path towards being a physician?
My best advice is to truly follow your dreams when it comes to your future and not be afraid of taking risks. I initially began as a general surgery resident after graduation. After two years of residency and a two-year post-doctoral research fellowship, my father was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and underwent radiation therapy. This had a significant impact on what I really wanted to do as a physician, and I ultimately decided to leave general surgery and go through the Match again in order to become a radiation oncologist.

The support I received from my family and VCOM reassured me that pursuing this competitive residency was the right decision and worth taking the risk. It ultimately worked out, and I matched into my first choice program.

No matter how big the risk is, you should stay true to your goals and believe in yourself. Also, know that you will always have the support of VCOM, even after you graduate, to help you along your path.

What are your fondest memories about your time at VCOM?
My fondest memories include spending time with my friends, both socially and as study partners. These friendships have grown into lifelong connections, and I remain very close with them to this day.

Additionally, my month-long medical mission in Honduras during my third year of medical school remains one of my favorite memories from my time at VCOM. It not only inspired me to obtain a Master of Public Health but has also shaped me into the physician I am today.

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud to have received the Young Investigator Award from the Conquer Cancer Fund of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. This is a one-year $50,000 grant given to promising young physicians during the final years of training to support the transition to a faculty appointment and to encourage quality research in clinical oncology.

I am very proud of this award for my grant, 'CDK4/6 inhibitors & their use with radiation as an effective treatment strategy in locally and advanced ER+ and Triple Negative Breast Cancer,' as I am the first recipient from my institution to ever receive a Young Investigator Award. I am also one of only a small handful of DOs to receive this award and the first and only female osteopathic radiation oncologist to do so.

I hope this research will lead to promising new treatments for patients with breast cancer in the future.

When not working, what activities do you enjoy?
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our golden retrievers, visiting my family in New York City, running marathons, and traveling.

No matter how big the risk is, you should stay true to your goals and believe in yourself. Also, know that you will always have the support of VCOM, even after you graduate, to help you along your path.

Was there anything or anyone at VCOM that inspired you to become the physician you are
today?
At VCOM I found the outreach opportunities remind me that medicine puts me in a position to advocate for those who may not have the resources or a voice.

How has the VCOM mission inspired you during residency or in your practice?
The mission inspired me to serve my community in Virginia by viewing every patient as a "whole- mind, body, and spirit" to find the root cause of illness. It also instilled in me the importance of always asking and researching ways to improve the quality of patient care.

What is the best advice you can give a medical student to help them in their path towards being
a physician?
Take time to create meaningful friendships with your classmates. At VCOM, the world comes to you, and you will see that caring, diverse, and intelligent classmates surround you. Not only will they be part of your support system but they will teach you from their experiences and inspire you to become a better human.

What are your fondest memories about your time at VCOM?
Being part of the first ever VCOM Olympics, the tug-o-war was intense, go class of 2016! Every day of medically serving areas of El Salvador during our outreach trip. Lunch before my class graduation rehearsal where we all had not seen each other since our second year and the feeling that no time had passed.

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
Seeing ill patients back for follow-up and knowing they are well and ready to optimize their health gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

When not working, what activities do you enjoy?
Spending time with my wife, traveling, and watching sports of all types

Take time to create meaningful friendships with your classmates. At VCOM, the world comes to you, and you will see that caring, diverse, and intelligent classmates surround you. Not only will they be part of your support system but they will teach you from their experiences and inspire you to become a better human.