Associate Chair
Professor
SPECIALTIES
AWARDS AND HONORS
- 2014 was the Chief of Surgical Services at Durham Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Chief of Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery at Duke University Medical Center, and their Associate Director of Strategic Planning.
EDUCATION
- MD at Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover New Hampshire
- Residency at Duke University Medical Center
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Duke University Medical Center
- Surgical Oncology Fellowship at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
PUBLICATIONS
Q&A
Q: What brought you to the Department of Surgery at UNC?
A: I am excited to return to North Carolina to focus on helping the Department expand their surgical programs in the regional hospital network of UNC. The draw to the Department was easy due to it exceptional reputation in research and clinical care, the opportunity to work alongside leading experts, and UNC’s commitment to innovative surgical techniques and compassionate patient care.
Q: What inspired you to become a doctor/surgeon? Or Why do you do what you do?
A: I come from a family of Doctors. There’s something special about carrying on the tradition of helping others. Growing up with that influence especially thru my father, shaped my view of medicine and the impact it can have on people’s lives. Becoming a doctor was one of the best ways to make a meaningful difference in the world and gives me a sense of purpose in my own career.
Q: How did you decide to pursue your current specialty? Has it met your expectations?
A: Pursuing surgery has exceeded my expectations. It is tremendously rewarding to be able to make patients better quickly with an operative procedure. The ability to bring about quick and tangible improvements in patients’ health through a single procedure is incredibly fulfilling. It’s not often you get to see such immediate results in other areas of medicine. The precision and skill required for surgery, combined with the positive impact you can have on someone’s life, has made surgery a rewarding career path for me.
Q: What are your contributions to your specialty?
A: Optimizing cancer care and training future surgeons. Clinically, I focused predominantly on neoadjuvant therapies for GI tumors and regional treatments for melanoma. My work in these areas has been important in improving patient outcomes and enhancing the effectiveness of treatment plans. I have focused on innovative ways to make these treatments as effective as possible. I have also focused on surgical education. Training surgical residents in the art of surgery is vital for the next generation of doctors. It’s not just about teaching the technical skills but also about passing on the wisdom and decision-making processes that come with experience.
Q: If you could pick the brain of someone alive or dead, who would it be?
A: President John F Kennedy. Watching his funeral procession with my parents and neighbors is one of my earliest memories. I was a history major in college and fascinated by JFK’s leadership during the early 1960s which was such a turbulent time for our country. His ability to navigate the major challenges of that time while inspiring a sense of hope and change makes him an intriguing figure to me from a leadership point of view.
Q: If you give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?
A: Don’t be afraid to try new things because of fear of failing to perform well. The fear of failure can hold a lot of people back from reaching their full potential, especially in fields like medicine, where the stakes are high. Trying new things—even with the possibility of failure—can lead to growth and new opportunities. It’s those experiences that help refine skills and build confidence.
Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: I grew up in Boston and don’t have a Boston accent
Q: What do you do when you aren’t working?
A: I like to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. My wife and I live on a farm raising horses which we find fulfilling. Working with the animals and maintaining the farm is a nice way to decompress. Hiking with our dogs and horseback riding are perfect ways to get outdoors and stay active. I frequently go bass fishing as a peaceful way to spend some quiet time. I also enjoy trying to play a little golf, even though it’s one of those sports that can be frustrating but also rewarding when you finally hit that perfect shot!
Q: How would you describe yourself in one word?
A: Dedicated
Q: What’s your superpower…or someone/something (famous or otherwise) you identify with? Or If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
A: My superpower is the ability to give 100% all the time. The ability to work hard and push through until the job is done speaks to a deep sense of determination and persistence, traits that can make a huge difference in any field, especially in demanding areas like surgery to optimize your patient’s outcome. It’s not just about getting through tasks but doing so with excellence.
