Why FSU?

The FSU College of Medicine was simply the best program I was accepted to. Throughout the application process and years of work to get to where I am at today, I committed myself to going to the best medical school that accepted me, and FSU gave me that opportunity.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

Pursuing a career in medicine initially began as a personal challenge. I knew after the Marine Corps that I wanted to serve others in an impactful way, and I decided what better way than to pursue a career in medicine. I knew that if I didn't push myself academically to achieve the highest level of education that I could, I would never be satisfied with the goals that I reached. Among other reasons, my journey toward becoming a doctor stems from challenging myself in all aspects of life, so I simply thought, "why not try to be a doctor?", and here I am today.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

To me, it's as simple as being of service to others. Going above and beyond what most people would do for someone else is something that every physician takes on as one of their main responsibilities, and it's something I strive to do every day.

Tell us how your military service provided skills and experiences that you were able to apply to your graduate studies.

The lessons a person learns from serving in the military and the way those lessons shape you is something that only the community of military members and veterans understand. Most importantly for me, it was viewing life and the obstacles that try to stop you from succeeding in a different light. Being surrounded by the people you live and work with 24/7 can be the most stressful but rewarding thing at times. The ability to handle those tough situations with one another when all else fails, and the bond that comes from that, is something few people ever experience. In medicine, everything is about teamwork. My experiences in the Marine Corps aren't much different than that of medical school. You surround yourself with your people 24/7, lean on them for support, and learn how to work together to get through tough times. Those hard times are what I believe help set me up for success with where I am now in my career, and without them, I don't believe I would be where I am today.

Career aspirations

My goal as a physician is to become an orthopedic trauma surgeon and serve our active military members and veterans. To me, being physician in this field of medicine is the most rewarding and hands-on way of making an impact on the lives of our service members.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Never give up, pursue what you are passionate about, and never forget why you are doing it.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I received the Nona J. Rawls & H. Taylor Jones Scholarship from the College of Medicine.