About Me
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
College/University: Roanoke College
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
What are your career goals?
I'm honestly not sure. There are a lot of fields that seem interesting (EMS, critical care, tox) but I'm excited to explore the possibilities and see what unfolds
What did you do the summer before internship?
I travelled a bit and then moved to Pittsburgh early so I could explore and get settled in
What do you like to do outside of medicine?
Traveling, hiking, sports, water related activities (wake-boarding, fishing) and, most of all, finding excuses to pet other people's dogs
Reflections on the Pitt EM Program
What were you looking for in a residency program?
I was looking for a well-rounded program in a cool city that would allow me to become as strong of a clinician as possible. After rotating here in medical school, I absolutely loved it and knew that it would be the place for me.
What are the strengths of the Pitt EM program?
The breadth of exposure and pathology you get from the variety of sites is probably Pitt's strongest attribute. You'll see everything. It's an amazing mix of academic, community, and "county" emergency medicine. Also, their prehospital and tox programs are top notch!
What has surprised you most about Pitt?
I was pretty intimidated to rotate at a place like UMC during my 4th year of med school. However, I was shocked at how kind and approachable the EM leadership and faculty are at UPMC. Everyone is on a first name basis. They're easy-going, intelligent, funny and are all amazing teachers. Everyone here is incredibly supportive and will do whatever they can to help you succeed
About Pitt EM and Pittsburgh
What do you like best about living in Pittsburgh/Western PA?
I've lived in Virginia most of my life but have always loved Pittsburgh. It's a beautiful place with big city amenities (sports, concerts, awesome food/beer, etc) without the traffic and cost of living of bigger cities. It's also close to the mountains you want to go hiking and get outdoors!
Where did you choose to live, and why?
We live in the Southside slopes. It's quiet, affordable, and has great views of the skyline!
What advice would you give to incoming residents about moving to the 'Burgh?
Come check it out! Pittsburgh really is an amazing city that I think people underestimate if you haven't been here before.
