Virginia

I am most proud of

I am most proud of taking over a robust family medicine practice while still maintaining work-life balance with my family. I am also proud to have served as Chief Resident in my residency program and voted the most outstanding resident within my hospital system. I am also proud to currently serve as Lead Physician in my practice and on the VCOM Alumni Board.

I am pleased to be a DO because

I am pleased to be a DO because I have been taught the importance of treating the patient, and not the disease or chief complaint. I have learned the importance of looking patients in the eye and using touch to comfort, reassure, and encourage. I have also learned the importance of a patient’s socioeconomic status, spirituality, and their emotions, and how these factors influence their care and decisions. Of course, understanding and utilizing OMT is also cool!

When I am not working I enjoy

When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my wife, two girls, and two Boxer dogs. I have also become a remodel addict since graduating residency, and enjoy the challenge of learning new skills such as gardening, landscaping, and bee keeping. I also enjoy reading, Virginia Tech sports, and watching Marvel movies!

A career in medicine is worthwhile because

A career in medicine is worthwhile because it is more than just a job and a salary, but a calling. Physicians have the unique opportunity to change lives, foster hope, and impact communities. Everyday I remain in awe of the responsibility, power, and influence I have been provided. I also remain humbled that patients trust me with their deepest secrets and most guarded insecurities, and look to me for wisdom and guidance through life’s most difficult circumstance. There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel an awesome purpose, which provides my life with meaning and fulfillment. Additionally, my patients teach me daily, inspire me to be better, and provide me with perspective and appreciation for my own life.

I believe VCOM helped prepare me well through rotations that were hands-on, and at times one-on-one with my preceptors.

Name of practice or hospital where you currently work

AnMed Honea Path

Specialty

Family Medicine

What my Practice looks like today

A great variety of rural outpatient family medicine.

What is the best advice you can give a medical student to help them in their path towards being a physician?

Medical school will be a challenging time, and it can also be a fun time. Set good boundaries to care for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

The accomplishment I am most proud of thus far in my career is

The accomplishment I am most proud of thus far in my career is making it through my intern year (without coffee)!

When I look back on my time at VCOM, I think fondly about

When I look back on my time at VCOM, I think fondly about Dr. Prater encouraging us at every seemingly insurmountable obstacle. I think about Dean Willcox sharing her film and TV recommendations in between classes. I think about all the clinical pearls from lecturers (pediatric maintenance fluids came in handy, Dr. Hardee!). I think about Dr. Fintel, a clinical preceptor my 4th year who embodied empathy and gentleness. I think about Dr. Thomas and her help as an advisor during residency applications. I’m so thankful for my time at VCOM.

For me, the most unforgettable moment in medical school was

For me, the most unforgettable moment in medical school was late night studying with friends, the half marathon we ran in Nashville, TN, before studying for COMLEX Level 1 and the joy of Match Day. I must say that graduation was extra special as well; I got hooded by Dean Willcox and my dad!

When I am not working, I enjoy

Spending time with my wife and children, all things film, running, yoga, being introverted, and small house projects, because I'm handy, but I'm not THAT handy.

I believe VCOM helped prepare me well by laying an incredible foundation for the rest of my medical career. The professors during my 1st and 2nd years shared their clinical wisdom, and my preceptors 3rd and 4th years challenged and motivated me. Their passion in their respective fields gave me an appreciation and desire for excellence in primary care.

Current Practice

Davidson Medical Ministries/Kintegra Family Health, Lexington, NC

Specialty

Family Medicine

What my practice looks like today

I see adult and pediatric patients 4 days a week in a faith based community health center. We have continued full time clinical care, incorporating both sick and well visits, even during the pandemic! I'm very grateful we have not discontinued any services that impact patient care during this unusual time, especially since we serve the most vulnerable populations in our community. In addition, I work with a school health alliance which provides onsite access to healthcare for students in the public school system. I also have the privilege of collaborating with six excellent advanced practice providers across these organizations. 

The accomplishment I am most proud of thus far in my career is 

Being a team lead within our health system allowing me to come along side the providers on my team and hear their concerns. I am a physician advocate for patients on a population health level and a champion for our systems ICD-10 conversion as well as ACO team. 

When I look back on my time at VCOM I think fondly about meeting and marrying my life partner and best friend Rob Snow, the lasting friendships—Katie Porterfield Collins and Ann Shaw Collins remain two of my best friends to this day—they were in my wedding, saw my babies in their first days of life, etc. Also the high quality clinical rotations which prepared me well for family medicine residency. I was rotating alongside UVA Med students at Carilion, Lewis Gale and the Salem VA so I could see that I was on par with them, which was important to me since we were a new school at that time. 

I am pleased to be a D.O. because I love my osteopathic family. It’s about the people.

The accomplishment I am most proud of thus far in my career is spearheading a vaccine for children (VFC) program at my health center where one did not previously exist; we can now vaccinate uninsured and underinsured children, thus reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine preventable illness.