Why did you decide to work in palliative care?
As a kid, I always liked to ask big questions. “What ifs?” I lost several people in my life and realized those big questions were really about uncertainty and one day dying. I started volunteering in hospice during college and medical school, but, honestly, I thought I was going to be a Med-Peds Infectious Diseases physician or primary care physician until the COVID-19 pandemic hit during my third year of residency. I spent month after month in the ICU, and it was so bleak. The team who humanized the patients in the beds before us, supported the families and friends who couldn’t see them, and constantly checked in on our well-being was the palliative care team. I knew immediately this was what I needed to do, and I’ve never looked back.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is the people I work with. I feel supported, we can joke and laugh together, and we even hang out outside of work. I never feel alone. I also love building connections and relationships with the people I care for. I learn so much every day from our patients.
What do you enjoy most about living in the Triangle area?
My wife, our two dogs, and I live in Durham, and we LOVE it! It’s welcoming, diverse, and has a laid-back vibe. We can walk to Durham Bulls games, hike or float on the Eno River, explore new restaurants (our favorite is Queeny’s), and visit the farmer’s market. We love sports, and all of the colleges (Go Heels!) have excellent teams. Oh, and the music duo Sylvan Esso lives here—if you don’t know their music, don’t walk but run to check them out!