Biography
I was born and raised in rural Arkansas, the daughter of a family medicine physician and a kindergarten teacher. After I graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, AR, I moved to northeastern NC to participate in the Teach For America program. My interest in health and well-being led me to pursue a PhD in psychology at Bowling Green State University, where I was able to study health psychology, behavioral weight management, substance use disorders, and behavior change. After completing an internship at the Boston Consortium, I moved to Jackson, MS to complete a postdoctoral fellowship alongside a family medicine residency program. During my fellowship, I learned that I enjoy practicing psychology in primary care, and that I love working with residents! I took a position as Director of Behavioral Science and Director of Research at the family medicine residency program at Albany Medical College in 2013. In 2015, I decided to move back to a warmer climate and be closer to family and friends, so I returned to the University of Mississippi Medical Center as Director of their Clinical Skills Center (the standardized patient program). Although I enjoyed working with medical students and standardized patients, I am excited that I have returned to family medicine residency education here in Wilmington!
When I am not at work, I enjoy being outside. I have run numerous half marathons (and a couple of marathons), but I also enjoy taking my dog out for walks. I’m usually happiest when I’m near the water. Travel, books, and the arts are passions of mine. I am also a die-hard Arkansas Razorback fan.
I believe that it is important to live a life that is in line with one’s values, as that is the most likely path toward personal and professional wellness. This belief is a large part of what led me to join the faculty of the Family Medicine Residency Program in Wilmington. It is a privilege to work with others who strive to provide excellent patient care within a supportive professional environment.