I practice general pediatrics and primary care and believe the best way to care for patients, especially kids, is to practice empathetic listening. I recognize that the healthcare system can make people feel very vulnerable, so I want to be there with open ears.

I became a physician assistant because it’s a great way to connect with patients. I want patients and families to be a part of their care with shared decision-making so that everyone feels comfortable with their treatment plans. While I enjoy caring for all the needs of patients, I especially like discussing and focusing on preventative care and health promotion. I think a lot of complex problems can be solved once patients and families have a solid understanding of what they’re going through.

Being the second oldest of five children and having a large extended family, I’ve always been around children and love kids. In school, I was interested in science and health, so a career in pediatric medicine was a great blend of two of my passions. I was fortunate enough to have some great mentors along my career path who inspired me to deliver exceptional care.

I was raised nearby in Lakeside Park, Kentucky, and went to Notre Dame Academy for high school. I love working in the community I grew up in. During a portion of my physician assistant training and after graduating, I volunteered at a free clinic in a rural part of eastern Kentucky. That experience fulfilled my passion to care for the medically underserved.

What inspires me about working with children is their energy. I think it’s so fun to go to work and never really know what’s going to come out of a kid’s mouth. It’s exciting to hear medical issues from their perspective and try to explain them so they’ll understand. I love what I do because it makes going to work fun. I enjoy getting to know families and becoming part of their lives in a special way.