Why did you become a physician?
I became a physician because I wanted a career that combined science, problem solving, and service to others. My background in engineering taught me to enjoy complexity and to think carefully about how systems work, but I wanted to apply that way of thinking in a field where I could have a direct and meaningful impact on people’s lives. Medicine offered exactly that.
I was especially drawn to neonatology because it brings together physiology, critical care, and teamwork in a very powerful way. Caring for premature and critically ill newborns requires both precision and compassion, and I found that deeply meaningful. Over time, my role as a physician also expanded into teaching and mentoring, which has become one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Later, surviving cancer as a faculty physician gave me an even deeper appreciation for the human side of medicine. It did not define why I entered the profession, but it strengthened my perspective on what it means to care for patients with empathy, humility, and hope.
Tell us about your educational and professional background.
My academic background began at the University of Kentucky, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering before going on to complete medical school there as well. I then completed residency training in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Kentucky, followed by fellowship training in Neonatology.
I have spent my professional career at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Golisano Children’s at UK, where I serve as a neonatologist and educator. Over the years, my work has included clinical care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, leadership in neonatal ECMO, and extensive teaching of medical students, residents, and fellows. My academic appointments have also reflected my interest in bridging medicine and engineering, including roles in both Pediatrics and Biomedical Engineering.
In addition to clinical care in the Neonatal ICU, a major part of my professional life has been education and mentorship. I have developed curricula, led simulation programs, advised students and trainees at multiple levels, and worked to create opportunities for learners who are interested in medicine, neonatology, and the intersection of healthcare and innovation.
What are your interest outside of medicine?
Outside of medicine, I have a strong interest in mentoring, volunteerism, and helping students navigate their professional development. I enjoy working with learners at different stages, from undergraduates to medical students and residents, and helping them think through career decisions, growth, and purpose.
I also remain very interested in engineering, innovation, and the use of technology to improve healthcare and education. I enjoy exploring how ideas from engineering, data, and artificial intelligence can help solve practical problems in medicine and create better systems for patients, learners, and communities.
More broadly, I value opportunities to build connections between disciplines, especially between medicine, engineering, and mentorship, because that is often where the most interesting and useful ideas emerge.
Why did you join the Lexington Medical Society?
I joined the Lexington Medical Society because I value the role that local physician organizations play in strengthening both the medical profession and the community it serves. Medicine is at its best when physicians are connected not only within their own institutions and specialties, but also across the broader local community.
The Lexington Medical Society provides an opportunity to engage with colleagues from different fields, support professional collaboration, and contribute to conversations about healthcare in Lexington and across Kentucky. I also appreciate its role in fostering service, professional connection, and mentorship, all of which are important to me.
For me, joining the Society was a natural extension of wanting to stay engaged with the larger physician community and to contribute in meaningful ways beyond my own clinical and academic roles.