I was supposed to be an English professor, but the English major at the University of Virginia was way more work than I could handle. It turns out my gifts lie in the area of applied sciences, and things like biology, biochemistry and how things work in general. I found my calling on my first mission trip in 1999. I found a way to utilize all the things I love about science and technology for the good of others, and in a way found my own version of poetry. I continue to write, but I continually rediscover ways in which to create beauty through action. Over time, my faith has gone from dismal to something worth something, and I am ever open to the mercies and graces the Lord gives continually. I feel a lot of us want to be like the widow with the copper coins. Working in medicine and surgery for the underserved is my small couple of coins to put in the basket of life. 

I have had the joy of practicing General Surgery since 2009. After completing training in Santa Barbara in 2009, I a joined private practice group in Abingdon Virginia in order to serve and work alongside the communities in Southwest Virginia. This was such a joy. I then felt called to work in the non-profit arena of medicine and joined the Church Health Center for three years. 

In 2016, I officially joined the University of Tennessee as full time faculty and Assistant Professor, and continue to have the privilege of caring primarily for the under-and un-insured of our community.