Duke Orthopaedics of Cary

As a former high school athlete, I required physical therapy for athletic injuries, including several ankle sprains and other foot injuries. I was exposed to multiple doctors and other healthcare providers, which ignited in me an interest in sports medicine. \n I began my career as a certified athletic trainer at the collegiate level. It was a great start to eventually becoming a physician assistant (PA) specializing in family and sports medicine. I enjoy helping people improve their health and manage their acute or chronic medical conditions. \n My patients are in charge of their own health, but I believe it takes a team effort involving the patient, their primary healthcare provider and, often, other healthcare clinicians. I work in partnership with my patients to optimize their health. That entails my listening carefully to their concerns before working with them on a comprehensive plan to help them reach their health goals. \n My husband, Joseph, and I have two sons. We live in Apex, and I enjoy running on the American Tobacco Trail and other trails in the area.

As a lifelong athlete, I enjoy sports of all kinds. I have always appreciated the link between athletics and health and have dedicated my career to improving patient health through the lens of participation in sport. \n I chose primary care because of the long-term relationships it allows me to form with patients and the opportunity it affords me to improve generational health. My goal is to form a close, trust-based partnership with my patients so that our treatment plans closely align with their personal health goals. \n My great joy is working with my patients to improve their level of health, no matter their starting point. Whether a patient wants to maximize performance to be ready for a big game or is vowing to get off the couch and complete in their first 5K, I will work to formulate a plan that's both evidence-based and in line with the patient's goals. \n Keeping current in my field is important to me. I've been a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine since 2013 and of the American Academy of Family Physicians since 2009. I've also authored a number of articles and presentations on sports injuries in young athletes. \n My wife and I have four boys. I am a fan of all sports, but my personal favorites are soccer, rugby and jiu jitsu. Having grown up in Pittsburgh, I'm a die-hard Steelers fan.