I followed a nontraditional path to medicine. I knew at a young age that I wanted to join a profession that involves helping people. Growing up in a small town in southern Georgia, where my dad was an internal medicine physician, was great exposure to the profession of medicine. Still, I was not convinced that being a doctor was the right choice for me. I went to Davidson College on an Army ROTC scholarship and graduated with a history degree and spent the next seven years as an Army officer. I loved my time in the Army and would not trade it for anything, but I knew I had something else to offer, and I was drawn back to the idea of a career in medicine. I was lucky enough to be accepted into medical school after taking some additional courses.

Throughout medical school and my residency training, I was fascinated by cardiology. Cardiology is a specialty that is constantly evolving, requires lifelong learning, and allows physicians to understand patients on a personal level and care for them over time. Perhaps most importantly, it also allows us to improve their quality of life. Today, at Mission Health’s Asheville Cardiology Associates, I try to partner with patients and learn what their goals and objectives are with each visit so that we may achieve the best possible outcomes together.

I received a great deal of exposure in cardiology during my early medical training. It is a fast-paced specialty that demands constant learning and allows me to do procedures, spend time with patients and read a variety of imaging studies. I am continually amazed by how quickly things change! I love that every day is different and challenging in its own way. I might start the day in the clinic reading echocardiograms (pictures of the heart) and then end up taking care of inpatients in the hospital. While I am a pretty intense introvert, I enjoy the longitudinal bonds that are formed with patients in cardiology.

Because of my introversion, I try to meditate on a daily basis as a way to unwind, and I love a good book. I also love to travel and spend time with my wife, Lisa, and daughter, Lizzie. We love to hike and explore all the restaurants and culture our community has to offer. I also enjoy riding my bike in the beautiful scenery of Western North Carolina.