About

A little background about me: I was born and raised around Akron, Ohio. I am a Kent State Alumni, Go Flashes! I did my medical school in Erie, PA at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and I am proudly a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a D.O. 

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A D.O. is essentially equivalent to a medical doctor (M.D.) , the minor difference lies with the approach outlook of medicine and training.  A D.O. is trained to focus on the holistic approach to patient care. To consider the body as a unit: Mind, Body, Spirit. There is a strong focus on preventative care and osteopathic manipulative treatment, a hands-on-technique associated with osteopathic principles. A D.O. can be any type of physician or surgeon and undergoes the same medical training.  

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During medical school I knew the specialty I was interested in was surgery. This stemmed heavily due to my personal history of my grandmother requiring a heart transplant. I am forever grateful for the medical technology, human donation, and skilled surgeons who gave my grandmother extra years to her life. This inspired me to want to give back to others in this way. 

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Breast cancer was a foreign concept to me until medical school. A close friend's mother lost her battle with stage 4 breast cancer. I didn't at the time fully understand the impact her battle would have on me.  The second experience I had was after a family friend was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She quietly underwent treatment, and it was only afterward when she disclosed that throughout her treatment journey the one person who made the experience challenging was her surgeon. She explained the surgeon lacked a empathetic bedside manner and was not a strong support system. 

 

As a surgeon in training when she shared her experience, it was devastating to hear. I idolized many of the surgeons who were training me.  Witnessing the extraordinary skills they possessed to remove disease and cure ailments, I was in awe. After hearing of her experience, I realized even the most technically skilled surgeon, if lacking in compassion or empathy,  has failed their patient. 

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Through my surgical training, I also realized how strongly women's health and the disparities affecting women's healthcare inspired me. This ignited my passion to dedicating my life as a Breast Surgical Oncologist; a surgeon who focuses on breast cancer care. 

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I was fortunate to find myself in the prestigious fellowship at The University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. This experience further exposed me to the overall disparities in healthcare for the inner city, underserved, and most vulnerable populations of people. This is where my passion for mission driven healthcare blossomed. My fellowship taught me the depth of breast cancer related knowledge with a strong focus on hidden scar surgery and advanced oncoplastic surgical techniques. 

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One aspect about my job that I cherish, is the opportunity to work with medical trainees. Medicine is a field of apprenticeship. While science can be taught in classrooms, many of the aspects of medicine that make a physician or surgeon great, is what sometimes cant be taught in a classroom. The field of breast cancer reminds many young physicians of the humanity of medicine, the reasons why many of us chose this profession, to help others.

 

Cancer is a cruel disease. Patients want and need a physician who is more than statistics and technical skills. Someone who can give the facts and still inspire hope. Who can hold a patient's hand and provide strength in their most challenging times. Who listens and supports. I cherish being able to train the next generation of physicians and surgeons to thrive in this aspect of medicine. 

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Thank you again for being here with me. I hope you'll find my page to be a helpful source along your journey.