Pediatric Neonatal-Perinatal
PGY V
DeWitt, AR
Hendrix College
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
UMMC Pediatrics
I was born and raised in Arkansas (Go Hogs). I attended Hendrix College for undergrad and majored in Chemistry, with a Biology minor. After taking a few years to experience life before father time and work took over, I focused on my lifelong dream of being a physician. I went to University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for school, and then to University of Mississippi Medical Center for my Pediatric Residency and Neonatology Fellowship. A middle child with two sisters, I have the pleasure of having 6 nieces and nephews I helped take care of when they were babies (as well as my little sister but she has long forgotten that). I believe this is where my love for caring for the most fragile and precious patients started. That fulfillment and joy is the same feeling I get every day I come to work in the NICU, caring for patients and bonding with families. “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” is an apt quote, and the reason I stay driven to continue learning and improving to be the best Neonatologist I can be for all of my future patients.
Neonatology in all of its aspects. Have always been pulled towards cardiorespiratory mechanics and BPD prevention, and recently have become quite intrigued with the developments in Ultrasound use as point of care mainstays and in evaluating hemodynamics.
This will seem like a lie, but my better half will attest that I truly enjoy learning about pathophysiology. Every vacation she is snarky that I am reading a textbook instead of something “fun.” I also enjoy reading “fun” stuff too. Joe Abercrombie is one of my favorites, as well as Stephen King, John Grisham, etc. Side note, George RR Martin please finish your series. I love sports (Razorbacks and Golden State Warrior fan). I used to play lacrosse and basketball before my 4 ACL surgeries, but I still enjoy watching. I have also recently picked up woodworking, but don’t have as much time to perfect that craft as I would like.
That is a hard question for oneself to answer. I have been told that I am the most hardheaded, stubborn person ever but my mom may have been exaggerating. I guess I would say the eclectic mix of personalities I have. I am a perfectionist about certain things and also the most laid-back person you may meet. I was a “lax-bro” and also a State chess champion. I love meeting and learning about people and have never met a stranger. I never backdown from a challenge and love to play devil’s advocate as a learning tool in all aspects of life, shout out to Socrates.
Sleep. I will wake up to eat, then back to sleep.
The UMMC NICU has some of the best people I have ever worked with. Easy to get along with and true friends. They are what make those long days, seem so short. I also really like the mix of patients we see and the rare pathology that comes in frequently. For training, I can’t think of a better place to prepare me to handle anything that could come my way.