Academic Background

M.D., University of Michigan, 2003

Postdoctoral Training

University of Michigan, Residency in Plastic Surgery, 2003-2005
University of Vermont, Residency in Anesthesiology, 2005-2008
Massachusetts General Hospital, Fellowship in Critical care Medicine, 2008-2009

My decision to become an anesthesiologist is reflective of the strong congruity I recognized between my academic interests and the practice of anesthesiology.  A number of years ago I correctly believed that my long-standing affinity for physiology would be aptly applied and expanded as an anesthesiologist.  Similarly, the pleasure I take in procedures has been sustained by the array of technical maneuvers employed in the anesthetic care of patients.  While I am interested in nearly all aspects of anesthesiology, providing anesthesia for vascular and thoracic patients is especially challenging and enjoyable.

My interest in critical care is based primarily on inherent curiosity and professional goals.  From a fundamental perspective, I am intrigued by the function of the human body over the entire spectrum from elite athleticism to critical illness, as evidenced by my education in both exercise physiology and critical care.  Furthermore, critical care allows me to fulfill my main professional goal: to care for complicated patients in an intellectually demanding and satisfying way.  As residents who work with me will attest, I have a fascination with mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic monitoring.

Anesthesiology and critical care afford me the opportunity to teach on a regular basis.  I specifically selected UMass over other career options because of the academic environment, medical school, and residency program.  I view medical teaching as a skill that should be formally learned as well as refined through constant application and feedback.  I hope to expand in this area as my career develops.

Outside of the hospital my interests are, not surprisingly, centered around exercise physiology.  I have been a distance runner since the first day of junior high, following that obsession through college and beyond.  In recent years I have added swimming and cycling, which has led me to the finish line of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.  My swimming, cycling, and running have evolved from simply physical pursuits to intellectual challenges.  Given the enormous training volume required for iron-distance triathlons (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run), I scour the literature to constantly refine my “evidence-based training” regimen in order to make the most of my limited training time.  Integrated with work and training, the remainder of my time is spent with my family, traveling, watching movies, visiting Vermont as often as possible, lusting over the newest triathlon technology, and seeking fine culinary delights.