Start Year: 2021
Basics
Hometown
Leesburg, VA
Where did you attend college/university?
University of Virginia
Where did you attend medical school?
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Reflections on the Duke program
What were you looking for in a residency program?
I wanted to train at a residency program where there was a Level I Trauma Center with the capacity and expertise to treat very sick children with complex medical conditions. I wanted the opportunity to train alongside a diverse group of co-residents and staff, and I also hoped for the privilege of treating a diverse and underserved patient population. I wanted a medium-sized program because I wanted a program that would be big enough where it wouldn’t be a headache to swap shifts or get coverage, but one that would be small enough where I’d get to know my co-residents and faculty really well.
What are the strengths of the Duke program?
Duke’s pediatric residency program had everything that I was looking for in a training program. Residents are trained to take care of the sickest children presenting with rare and unusual diagnoses. Because there are 14 pediatric fellowship programs at Duke, residents can explore many subspecialties within the field of pediatrics. There are many opportunities to engage in research while at Duke, and the pediatric residency program is very supportive of residents who choose to do so. Lastly, the people at Duke are quite possibly this program’s biggest strength. During my virtual interview day, everyone was so genuine and supportive of me and the other applicants. Since moving to Durham, I have been so impressed with the kindness and support of my co-residents, program leadership, and Duke community. Our program leadership is incredibly supportive of residents both in and out of the hospital.
About Duke and Durham
What are the strengths of the Duke program?
Duke’s pediatric residency program had everything that I was looking for in a training program. Residents are trained to take care of the sickest children presenting with rare and unusual diagnoses. Because there are 14 pediatric fellowship programs at Duke, residents can explore many subspecialties within the field of pediatrics. There are many opportunities to engage in research while at Duke, and the pediatric residency program is very supportive of residents who choose to do so. Lastly, the people at Duke are quite possibly this program’s biggest strength. During my virtual interview day, everyone was so genuine and supportive of me and the other applicants. Since moving to Durham, I have been so impressed with the kindness and support of my co-residents, program leadership, and Duke community. Our program leadership is incredibly supportive of residents both in and out of the hospital.
What’s best about living in Durham and the Triangle?
Durham offers a great mix of outdoor activities, great food and drink, and arts and culture. There are so many trails, rivers, and lakes to explore in Durham and the Triangle area. There are awesome restaurants, ice cream shops and breweries. The Durham Farmer’s market is quite large and sells the prettiest little flower bouquets! There are outdoor concerts happening all the time, especially during the summer. There are musicals and shows to check out at the Durham Performing Arts Center, and the North Carolina Museum of Art is just a short drive away in Raleigh!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I love to spend much of my time outside. I am an avid runner, so I have loved getting to explore all the trails and parks that Durham has to offer. I have a 4-year-old dog named Sullivan, and I’ve enjoyed taking Sullivan on play dates with my co-interns’ dogs. Alexa Cohen, another co-intern, recently introduced me to pickleball and we’ve been playing almost every weekend! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new hobby!
What is something surprising/interesting about you?
I love to travel! I attended college at the University of Virginia and I studied abroad twice while completing my undergraduate degree in cognitive science. I spent one month over the summer on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas studying marine biology, and I lived in Florence for one semester studying art history!