Hi! I’m from Montrose, New York, about an hour north of New York City, and I graduated from Boston College in 2015, with a degree in physics. That’s a remnant from when I wanted to be a physicist, and then an engineer. Things change. I found myself called to medicine later in college, because I wanted to cultivate my interest in science while pursuing a career where I could work with teams of passionate people to tackle challenges. Medicine provided the perfect opportunity to follow both of my motivations, and I haven’t looked back.
For three years after graduation, I worked as a research assistant and lab technician at a neurology lab in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, where I studied the effects of hypoglycemia on the autonomic nervous systems of healthy people and people with Type II diabetes. Though I worked in a quaternary care clinic with a very specific patient population, my appreciation for primary care grew during this time. By talking with so many chronically ill patients, I recognized the challenges they face every day and the limitations placed on them by the current healthcare system. Moreover, I was struck by the disparity in care patients could receive in a large city like Boston compared to the rural regions of New England. As you will learn, access to primary care is one of the key issues facing the healthcare industry today. The Generalist Scholars Program offers the chance to be part of the community that is working to improve healthcare for all patients at the most basic level. For the first time in my life, I could be assured that I am working towards a solution rather than simply pointing out a problem. When I was accepted to the program, I packed my life into my compact car and drove down south. Though I miss the northeast, Charlottesville (and its assortment of quality affordable fried chicken restaurants) is growing on me.
In my (limited) free time, I like to hike, bike, and do crossword puzzles. If you ask nicely, I will let you try the crossword puzzle I published in my local paper back home. I am excited for the next four years at UVA, and I look forward to meeting you! And, let me know if you ever want to toss a Frisbee on the Lawn.