Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m part Michigan, part Tennessee. I grew up outside Detroit, moved to a small town outside Memphis when I was 15, and did undergrad at Vanderbilt in Nashville. After college, I spent a year in NYC getting my Masters in Nutrition at Columbia, then headed back to the midwest for medical school at Saint Louis University. I did my internal medicine residency at the University of Colorado, my GI fellowship at St Louis University, and my hepatology transplant fellowship at U Penn. I love college sports — I’m a diehard University of Michigan and Vanderbilt football and basketball fan, and I’m excited to add UVA to my list of teams to cheer on.
What brought you to Charlottesville?
My wife and I love hiking and biking and being outdoors — there’s so much about Charlottesville that appealed to us. Then I met the group at UVA, and I knew this would be a place I’d want to work — so many smart, talented people who are also fun to be around.
What excites you about your work?
I love the complexities of the liver — it’s an amazing organ, and there is so much potential to provide treatment options that can offer hope and extend a person’s life by many years. I enjoy the relationships of my work, too, whether that’s working closely with patients to manage their chronic disease, or collaborating with and teaching students, residents and fellows.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I’m always happy on my bike — thankfully, it’s my 3-year old daughter’s favorite mode of transportation, too. My wife and I are big travelers, with a pull toward the mountains. (Though I love a good city, too.) If you see me with headphones on, chances are I’m listening to a podcast, usually This American Life, Marketplace, or Choiceology.
Where did you go on your last vacation?
My wife, daughter and I spent 6 weeks in Europe this summer, splitting our time between the French Alps and Amsterdam. Ate enough croissants for a lifetime.
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