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About Me
Hometown - Des Moines, Iowa
Undergrad - Saint John’s University (Minnesota)
Medical School - University of Iowa
Residency - Indiana University (Riley Hospital for Children)
Career Interests - Inflammatory bowel disease, interprofessional communication, and shared decision-making
Hobbies/Interests outside of work - Endurance sports
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Why Utah Pediatric gastroenterology? I chose to complete my fellowship at Primary Children’s Hospital because of the people. The University of Utah Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition is staffed by intelligent, compassionate, funny, well-rounded providers who work together to provide both excellent patient care and high-quality teaching. The size of the program (one fellow per year) facilitates a personalized learning environment that affords opportunities for mentorship in multiple domains (e.g. career development, clinical research, endoscopy, and quality improvement) and means that fellows don’t have to compete for procedures.
What's your favorite part about living in Salt Lake City? Salt Lake City is an amazing place to live and work. The access to the outdoors is incredible. No matter where you live, you’re a short (i.e. minutes) drive, ride, or run from smoothly paved canyon roads, secluded singletrack, groomed Nordic trails, and local craigs. The views from the hospital are breathtaking (although seeing people riding mountain bikes while you’re sitting at your desk dictating may make you jealous).
What cool research/advocacy/education/scholarly work are you participating in? My research involves the creation of a database that will capture all of the pediatric patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease within the Intermountain system over the last decade. I am specifically interested in investigating post-colectomy outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis.
What has been a standout rotation or teaching experience you've been part of as a fellow? Our hepatologists and transplant surgeons are incredible teachers, spending time on rounds, between consults, and even in the middle of the night helping fellows to understand the context behind complex medical decisions.
What is something you didn't know before coming to Utah that you wish you did? I underestimated the importance of hydration in the high desert (I woke up with a headache every day for a month after moving to Utah)!
What are your plans following fellowship? I plan to pursue a career in academic pediatric gastroenterology, with an emphasis on providing comprehensive care to patients living with inflammatory bowel disease.
What made you decide to come to Utah? I decided to come to Utah because I knew that I would get an excellent education in a beautiful place with opportunities to pursue my passions outside of medicine.
What are you doing next year? I plan to earn a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) degree through the University of Utah while continuing to care for patients as a second and third-year fellow.