Hometown: Amity, AR
Medical School: UAMS
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up? At 10, growing up in rural Arkansas, I didn’t know many people in healthcare-but I knew I wanted to help others and be someone my community could rely on. I imagined being a teacher, maybe a nurse, or someone who solved problems and made people feel safe.
On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
outside with my family, exploring a nature trail, playing in the yard, or finding a new park. Being grounded in nature helps me recharge before the week begins.
If you weren’t a doctor, what would you be? I’d still be a teacher or school administrator-my former career before medicine-or possibly a public health educator or researcher. I’ve always loved empowering others through knowledge and working towards health equity.
Favorite show to binge watch? Survivor. I love the strategy, resilience, and human dynamics- it’s like a social experiment that never gets old. Plus, it reminds me how far grit and teamwork can take you.
What is a fun fact about yourself that not a lot of people know? I have a small but thriving backyard garden where I grow everything from squash and herbs to butterfly-attracting native plants. I even have a “plant hospital” corner where I try to revive struggling greenery- it’s surprisingly therapeutic and oddly rewarding.
What is the next thing you want to check off on your bucket list? Visiting all seven continents! I have three to go, and I can’t wait to experience more cultures and communities around the world.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about? I can build a website from scratch—design, layout, and all. I used to teach AP Computer Science, so coding and creative problem-solving are still part of my toolkit.