Undergrad Institution; Degree and Major:
Bridgewater College, BS, Biology and Chemistry
Medical School:
Johns Hopkins, MD, PhD, MPH
In practice since:
2005
Your Specialty:
Neurosurgery with special interest in brain tumors
Where and for how many years did you train AFTER medical school:
Duke University, 6 years (all neurosurgery residencies now require 7 years)How did you choose your specialty?
It was a combination of interests in neuroscience, surgery, and research.
What do you like MOST, and like LEAST, about your specialty?
Things I like most include I can have a profound impact on quality of life and longevity, surgically challenging field, intellectually challenging and ever-growing field, numerous academic/teaching/research opportunities….
I do not like taking call. Some patients can have incredibly difficult and prolonged neurosurgical care that can be very hard to handle. In this high acuity field, some patients may not do well.
In your opinion, what attributes are important in anyone choosing this specialty?
Neuroscience/neuroanatomy/neurophysiology curiosity, surgical interests, physical stamina, eagerness for continued lifelong learning, and ability to see long tasks to the end. You must have a true passion for this specialty.
Hobbies/special interests:
Research lab focused on the genomics, molecular biology, and therapeutic development for brain tumors.