Undergrad Institution; Degree and Major:
Emory University BS Anthropology
Medical School:
Emory University School of Medicine
In practice since:
1993
Your Specialty:
Allergy & Immunology
Where and for how many years did you train AFTER medical school:
- Children’s Hospital Boston (Pediatric Residency 3 yrs)
- Children’s Hospital Boston and Brigham Women’s Hospital (Allergy and Immunology Fellowship 2 yrs)
How did you choose your specialty?
During my senior year in medical school I did clinical research on asthma with the Division of Allergy & Immunology which led to an interest in pediatric asthma.
What do you like MOST, and like LEAST, about your specialty?
I enjoy treating patients of all ages for atopic disease with innovative therapies that truly make a difference in their lives. The immune system is complex and challenging to work with and keeps me on the cutting edge many new therapies. What I like least is dealing with issues regarding patient compliance. Both children and adults present challenges in just getting them to comply with sometimes lifesaving therapy.
In your opinion, what attributes are important in anyone choosing this specialty?
Given you will treat the spectrum of newborn to geriatric patients your decision to pursue Allergy and Immunology will require a degree of flexibility in your communication skills and bedside manner. You should also enjoy keeping up with the latest innovations in immunotherapy as the field is constantly changing. Having the ability to interact with multiple other specialists in addition to the patient’s primary care provider is also crucial to success.
Hobbies/special interests:
I train and participate in triathlons and have coached youth soccer for many years.