College/University: University of Virginia

Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Clinical and Research Interests

• Surgical education
• Clinical outcomes research
• Innovative office-based approaches in laryngology

What were you looking for in a residency program?

I was looking for a program with all sub-specialties represented, a strong track record of success beyond residency, multiple diverse training sites, support for clinical research and humanitarian service trips, and ultimately, a program culture among residents/faculty that emphasized teamwork, humility, and camaraderie.

What are the strengths of the Duke program?

This program is uniquely positioned on an upward trajectory of growth. I was really impressed with how many positive changes have defined Duke's Otolaryngology program just within the past year (2019-2020): we went from a division to a department, expanded the resident cohort to include a T32 research resident, and recruited numerous new clinical and research faculty across all facets of the field. This is a testament to strong leadership and an ongoing commitment to progress. Duke also provides the resources (world-class faculty, weekly conferences, research opportunities/funding, leadership courses) and atmosphere (it really feels like one big family) to help you grow professionally and personally. I feel incredibly honored to be able to train here and contribute to this program.

What advice do you have for incoming interns?

Find role models in your senior residents and trust that one day, you will also become someone an incoming intern will look up to. Try to identify specific qualities or behaviors to emulate. Strive for daily improvement, but remember to be kind to yourself too.

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

Durham has a certain charm that not even starting residency in the middle of COVID-19 could take away. It is very affordable, easy to get around by foot or by car, and boasts of so many fun things to do in the city and the surrounding Triangle Area:

• The weekly farmer's market and abundance of local restaurants
• Live music and concerts
• Hiking in nearby nature trails and parks, like the Eno River
• The North Carolina State Fair
• Weekend getaways: NoVA/DC, The Outer Banks, Asheville, Charlottesville, Charleston, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
• Also, this. "The Duke Lemur Center is an 85-acre sanctuary for rare and endangered strepsirrhine primates, located at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. It is the largest sanctuary for strepsirrhine primates in the world."

What do you like to do outside of Duke?

• Traveling
• Going to country music concerts/festivals
• Playing strategic board games: Catan, Avalon, Codenames, etc.
• Skiing

Honors and Awards

• Gold Humanism Honor Society (2019)
• The Triological Society Travel Award (2018, 2019)
• Kaiser Permanente SCORE-Oto Research Student (2017)
• Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society (2015)
• David A. Harrison III Undergraduate Research Award (2015)
• Echols Scholar, University of Virginia (2012)
• College Science Scholar, University of Virginia (2012)
• National Merit Scholar (2012)