College/University: Georgia Institute of Technology

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine

Clinical and Research Interests

• Health services research
• Behavioral economics and decision-making in healthcare
• Medical education

What were you looking for in a residency program?

A program with a well-rounded surgical experience – large surgical volume, easy access to research, and enthusiastic mentors. Additionally, I was looking for a culture of support and comradery among the co-residents.

What are the strengths of the Duke program?

The program produces extremely well-trained residents who are able to perform in multiple practice settings. There is excellent exposure to both operative and clinical management of clinically complex urological populations. The surgical education is second to none, with superb minimally invasive experience and a strong open surgical education from accomplished faculty alongside a structured resident curriculum. The faculty are truly invested in the resident education. Our night float system also allows for greater schedule flexibility without compromising training. Finally, the residents are extremely supportive of one another and enjoy what they are doing.

What advice do you have for incoming interns?

Intern year can be very daunting at first. If you remain organized, efficient, and always communicate the year becomes much more manageable. It’s important to work hard and always follow through on tasks. Remember that you are not alone – you always have support from your co-interns and co-residents. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you ever get bogged down by busy work, try to spend extra time with your patients – it will help center you and remind you why you’re doing what you’re doing in the first place. Take advantage of the time you have off and do the things you love outside of the hospital.

What do you like best about living in Durham and the Triangle?

I love that there is so much to do and that I consider anything further than 15 minutes a real commute. There’s a lot to do in Durham – restaurants, breweries, entertainment, and hiking. It’s a very easy place to live and the city does not get in the way of you enjoying your time outside of work. The location also provides excellent access to the mountains and the ocean for a quick day or weekend trip.

What do you like to do outside of Duke?

I enjoy running in the Duke Forest, hiking in the Eno River state park, and enjoying the Durham food scene (Monuts, Picnic, JuJu’s, and M Kokko are some of my favorites).