Undergrad Institution; Degree and Major:
Christian Brothers University - BS in Biology
Medical School:
Emory University
In practice since:
2010
Your Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Where and for how many years did you train AFTER medical school:
Emory – Internal Medicine residency, 3 years
How did you choose your specialty?
I chose IM because I enjoy the intellectual challenge of taking care of complex medical problems, promoting healthy lifestyle and screening, developing ongoing and long-lasting relationships with my patients, and being responsible for the whole patient. I enjoyed most specialties in medical school and found several sub-specialties interesting in residency. There wasn’t a single sub-specialty that stood out among the others and I like the variety that working as a general internist provides.
What do you like MOST, and like LEAST, about your specialty?
- Most: Having long lasting relationships with my patients often including taking care of their family members.
- Least: Trying to balance competing responsibilities.
In your opinion, what attributes are important in anyone choosing this specialty?
- Ability to "read" people, easily establishes rapport with all types of people, and communicates clearly
- Innate curiosity
- Accepting of diagnostic uncertainty
- A desire to provide direct patient care
- Willingness to think outside the box especially when managing multiple comorbidities simultaneously
- Good sense of humor
Hobbies/special interests:
- Tennis – playing and watching
- Travel
- Photography
- Good food and beer
- Medical Education
- Improvement in primary care delivery