Hometown: Georgetown, IN
Bio: I grew up in southern Indiana, where I spent summers exploring forests and creeks with my younger brother. I headed north to study biology at Taylor University and met lifelong friends including my wife, Nicole. After undergrad, I did research for a year before realizing that my passions were better suited to partner with community members and work towards health over many years. I was then drawn out to California for medical school by Loma Linda University’s emphasis on faith-based whole person care, partnership with underserved populations, and use of lifestyle interventions to prevent and treat chronic diseases.
Why Memorial: Memorial is well-known for its excellent training, but I was especially impressed by its culture of caring for patients, one another, and the community – particularly the underserved. Throughout the interview season, it stood out as a place filled with people who would push me to be the type of physician and person I hope to become.
Clinical interests: Preventive medicine, lifestyle medicine, and chronic disease management
Hobbies: My wife Nicole and I love to grow vegetables, hike, camp, and read–all of which are more interesting with our daughter Stella.
Favorite quotes: “Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.” –Wendell Berry
Favorite books: East of Eden by John Steinbeck, A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold, and Desiring the Kingdom by James KA Smith
Advice: Ask Dr. Suttor
Favorite thing to do/place to go in South Bend/Mishawaka: St. Pat’s Park