Why did you become a physician?
Growing up I had a deep love of nature and animals. I loved studying topics of any sort if they involved science. As I progressed through school, math and science were my strongest subjects. I initially planned to major in pre med studies in college but ultimately decided on Linguistics. After a post college job teaching English in Japan I decided yet again that becoming a physician was my calling. I had to complete the rest of my premed classes and then applied to medical school.
Tell us about your educational and professional background.
I completed my undergraduate studies at Northwestern University. My father was in the United States Navy. I applied for the Health Professions Scholarship Program and was accepted. The Navy took me on and helped me pay for Medical School at the University of Louisville. I met my husband, Greg, there and we both matched residencies in San Diego. I completed my residency at the Naval Hospital San Diego in Pediatrics. I completed 4 additional years there as an attending physician before Greg and I moved back to Lexington in 2001 where I joined Pediatric and Adolescent Associates (PAA) where I have been since. In addition to pediatrics, I have been significantly involved in State Volunteer Medical Insurance Company (SVMIC), our medical liability company. I have been a part of the Risk committee since 2005, the Board of directors since 2009 and the Vice Chair of the Board since 2024.
What are your interests outside of medicine?
My most treasured outside interest is my family. Greg and I have 3 children. In addition I love gardening and planting gardens with Greg. One of our best garden projects was a Japanese garden Greg and I completed during the 2020 pandemic as a way to destress. It has matured beautifully.
Why did you join the Lexington Medical Society?
When I started at PAA I was asked to join LMS to be able to use the answering service. I have enjoyed many events over the years with the LMS.