Why did you become a physician?
I became interested in pursuing a career in medicine when I was in high school, probably around 10th grade. I loved my science classes with exceptional teachers in that field (biology and zoology in particular), and also loved basketball. But once it became clear that the NBA wasn’t going to come knocking, I headed down the path to medical school and never looked back. My dad was a nurse anesthetist and brought me to the OR freshman year of college, and I gravitated towards the orthopaedic cases. The ability to fix a problem with surgery and return a patient back to things they enjoy was a goal from that point forward. I am still happy with that choice to this day! I may not save a life on most days, but I do save lifestyles almost everyday.
Tell us about your educational and professional background.
I went to undergrad at the University of Arkansas, medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, followed by residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. I was active duty Army for 11 years, and served as a Forward Surgical Team Commander for 3 years, finishing my military career with a deployment in 2003 to Iraq in support of the initial invasion, ending up in Baghdad. My family and I moved to Kentucky upon returning from Iraq in 2003. I am currently a full time Orthopaedic Surgeon with Baptist Health Medical Group and also serve as the Medical Director for Specialty Services in the Lexington Market, as well as the Medical Director for Orthopaedic Surgery for Baptist Health Lexington.
What are your interest outside of medicine?
I enjoy golf, painting and drawing. But probably most of all I enjoy reading books to my two wonderful grandchildren!
Why did you join the Lexington Medical Society?
I joined the Lexington Medical Society because I believe in supporting our local medical society which provides a voice to the community at large that I cannot access alone. I believe physicians need to stand together, and this provides the structure and organization I support.