Biography
Before medicine, I first pursued my dream of becoming a marine biologist as a Biological Technician for NOAA in South Carolina studying red tides. However, I soon realized that I truly wanted to help people, especially the sick and underserved. I relocated back to Mississippi and was accepted to UMMC School of Medicine in 2002. I matched at UMMC Pediatric Residency Program and completed my residency in 2009. After residency, I was chosen to be Chief Resident, and knew I wanted to continue my career in Academic Medicine. The Pediatric Hospitalist program at UMMC was being developed, and I expressed deep interest in being a part of it. In 2010, I was hired as one of three hospitalist to start the Pediatric Surgical Hospitalist Service to co-manage patients with surgical subspecialties. Over time, the hospitalist division has grown and services have evolved to become an integral part of inpatient care at the Children’s Hospital. In 2011, I became Associate Program Director for Pediatric Residency Program and continued to become more and more involved in resident and student education. I continue to enjoy my time in patient care as a Hospitalist as well as my time with learners as a teacher and an educator. These dual roles are so intertwined, but my Primary Emphasis is Education with secondary Emphasis in Service.