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I grew up in Havertown, a suburb of Philadelphia, where I was active in theater and choir through high school. I also excelled in science, but maintained a heavy interest in the arts and humanities which stays with me to this day. After high school, I considered pursuing a degree in the culinary arts, but ultimately decided to follow a liberal arts curriculum at Temple University. During this time, I worked as a waiter in a busy Center City restaurant, where I met my future wife, who was then the Sous Chef of that same restaurant. My wife and family encouraged me to focus on finding a career that would be fulfilling to me. After much soul searching, I decided that Medicine would be the best path, since it involves lifelong learning in both science and the humanities, as well as much face-to-face time with people. I left the restaurant and began working at a home for brain-injured adults. I geared my college coursework heavily into science, and began working in medical research. I graduated from Temple University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience, and a completed a year of research in the Sol Sherry Thrombosis Center of Temple University, which culminated in a publication. I attended Temple University School of Medicine, where I was co-director of TUSM’s a capella choir, “The Transplantations”. We sang the national anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies at the opening of their ‘08 season, in which they won the Championship (not that I’m taking credit...) I enjoyed every bit of the medical school experience, and for awhile, I had trouble deciding what specialty to choose. I loved working with my hands, so Surgery and OB/GYN were on “the list”. I loved managing patients in the hospital and solving “medical mysteries”, so Internal Medicine was also a candidate. One of my favorite things to do was to sit and listen to people tell me their stories, so Psychiatry was a strong possibility. I’ve always loved children, so I considered Pediatrics. Family Medicine was the only career which would allow me to do all of these things. I also identified strongly with the philosophy of Family Medicine, which treats the whole patient, as a member of a community. I chose AFP because it is unopposed, it is a combined DO/MD program, and because each time I visited, the staff and faculty were friendly and welcoming, and all of the residents and alumni I met seemed to be happy and satisfied. My wife and I are now living in Hollidaysburg, and we are loving the fresh air and natural beauty of this part of Pennsylvania. I can’t wait to get started working! |
