How many years have you been practicing and where did you graduate from?

I have been practicing for five or six years and graduated from Duke PA School in 2018.

What do you enjoy most about serving Appalachian Mountain Health patients here in Western NC?

You know, I really like this population. I like working with patients who have real needs, and though everyone has real needs, being able to work with patients who have had challenges getting medical care in other places with issues that should have been addressed a long time ago. These diagnosis may have not landed because of circumstances dealing with insurance or past negative experiences with the medical system or institutional systems. It feels good to be in a place where I can see those patients, work with them, and try to improve their wellbeing; even if incrementally.

What is your approach to patient care?

I believe the best way for medical providers—especially those of us in outpatient settings serving as primary care providers—to approach our work is to embody the role of a “friend with special knowledge,” a concept I’ve seen attributed to a quote by John Steinbeck. This idea resonates deeply with me for several reasons. As providers, we can certainly recommend treatments or suggest next steps, but I don't believe in imposing decisions or assuming compliance based on authority alone. The stance of “I’m right because I’m the medical provider” can often be counterproductive and, at times, even harmful. Instead, I see our role as one of collaborative guidance, applying the medical expertise we’ve worked hard to acquire in a way that is supportive, respectful, and nonjudgmental. The “friend with special knowledge” mindset reminds me to stay grounded, especially when the clinical agenda—like checking off preventative care measures—risks overshadowing the patient’s voice. These guidelines are important, but not at the cost of patient autonomy. If a patient declines an intervention, my role is not to override their decision, but to ensure they are fully informed and feel safe in expressing their preferences. Ultimately, this approach re-centers the patient-provider relationship around trust, humility, and usefulness. A friend with special knowledge doesn’t lecture or demand—they listen, explain, and offer support. I strive to make every clinical interaction reflect that ethic: grounded in expertise, guided by empathy, and rooted in respect.

What is one piece of health advice you find challenging to follow yourself?

I’m a believer in therapy and think it would be useful for me to do more reflection and just prophylactically see somebody every few months or something to talk through the stress of relationships and work.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Little Chango in Asheville!

Do you have any special interests?

From a medical standpoint, I’m interested in addiction medicine and also really like using point of care ultrasound and finding ways to integrate that into my practice. Further, I really like doing gender affirming care; it can be really inspiring to see people help each other in the journey of being the person that they feel like they are and have always felt like they are. You can see people come out of their shell in a really beautiful way. I also like working with Spanish speaking patients. I’m also techy with a lot of electronics and make stuff with 3D printing and laser cutting.

What languages are you fluent in?

English.