Member Status: (Active, Resident, Student) Active Where are you currently working or attending school? I partnered with SSM Health to open their first clinic in Seminole, Oklahoma in October 2019. I am also in the Institute of Functional Medicine certification program, which I am planning to complete over the next few years. How long have you been within the OAFP community? I joined the OAFP as a student member in 2011 when I began serving as the President of the OU Family Medicine Interest Group. Why did you choose family medicine? One of the main reasons I chose family medicine is the variety. My days are diverse from the ages of my patients to their medical diagnoses. I love getting to joke with pediatric patients, spend time answering questions for a new mother, then going to the next room to perform joint injections or diagnose acute or chronic conditions. What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career or education? I had the unique opportunity to successfully diagnose a Type 1 Porphyria Cutanea Tarda last year, which was exhilarating. However, the most fulfilling moments honestly are making an impact every single day in the lives of my patients. I love celebrating their weight loss or discussing how their anxiety and depression have improved with treatment. It is so rewarding. What has been the most challenging aspect of your practice or education? One of the most challenging aspects of my practice is adequately caring for patients in limited time. I have improved with practice, but I continue to struggle with balancing building rapport with patients, while also completing required documentation efficiently. What is your work life balance like & how do you achieve it? As a wife and the mother of two young daughters, I understand the importance of being present. Therefore, I have structured my work week to include four 10 hour days, so that I can be home with my girls three full days a week. This schedule helps my family spend more quality time together. Who is your biggest role model? Both of my parents are my role models, because they taught me the importance of hard work and compassion. However, from a medical standpoint, my mother is the biggest influence in my life. She recently retired after 39 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and she was the person who inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. What is your favorite quote? Two of my favorite quotes are attributed to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. The first is "We must be learning all of our lives." The second is "Live your life while you have it. Life is a splendid gift. There is nothing small in it." The first quote reminds me medicine is fluid and ever changing, so I must always seek knowledge in order to continue to provide the best care for my patients. The second encourages me to also enjoy life and not get bogged down in work! What do you like to do when you’re not working? I spend my downtime doing all the activities my children love such as building forts, painting, and swimming as much as possible. I also enjoy reading for my monthly Book Club, playing golf, exercising, and traveling with my family and friends. Any advice for residents and students finishing their training or education? Ask as many questions as possible while you are in residency. As you see patients in clinic, ask yourself at least one question about each one in order to continuously build your knowledge base.

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