College/University: University of Utah

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine

Clinical and Research Interests

Neoplasia and its therapies, as well as medical education.

What were you looking for in a residency program?

A hard-working, humble, and cohesive program in an affordable location with strong exposure and experience in all OHNS subspecialties. I looked for faculty and residents who would inspire my strengths and help me identify and improve my weaknesses. I looked for role models who would not only help me become a competent otolaryngologist, but also a more complete physician.

What are the strengths of the Duke program?

Duke actively strives to develop surgeon leaders through didactics, delegated responsibilities with specific feedback, and outside consultants who work with senior residents to evaluate and understand their natural leadership qualities and where they can improve. The program provides training opportunities at a tertiary academic hospital, a large VA across the street, and two community hospitals within 25 minutes. This gives their trainees a broad view of potential practice environments that they can choose from after training. The Duke reputation brings patients from all over the Southeast with difficult pathology to the clinics of our talented faculty every single day, providing a rich residency training experience. 

What advice do you have for incoming interns?

Become efficient at the EMR as quickly as possible so that you can spend as little time in front of a computer and as much time as possible interacting with patients and colleagues face-to-face.

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

I can comfortably afford a nice home with my residency salary. Rarely is traffic an issue, and if there's traffic, it delays you 5-10 minutes tops. Despite being smaller in population compared to big cities, there are lots of good local restaurants, and the surrounding 3 universities, as well as Research Triangle Park, attract many young professionals to the area. I am within driving distance to beautiful mountains, and many beautiful beeches. The weather is beautiful.

What do you like to do outside of Duke?

Spend time with loved ones and friends, watch and play sports (particularly basketball and golf), barbecue on my smoker, work on my garden and lawn, play piano, and sketch.

Honors and Awards

• Dean Wilburt Davison Award, Duke University School of Medicine
• Alpha Omega Alpha, Honor Medical Society, Duke University School of Medicine
• Full Tuition Merit Scholarship, Duke University School of Medicine
• Phi Beta Kappa, Honor Society, University of Utah
• American Chemical Society Teaching Assistant of the Semester, University of Utah
• Most Outstanding Supplemental Instructor in the Sciences, University of Utah