A Kentucky native, I was born and raised on a farm near Bardstown and graduated from Nelson County High School. I attended the University of Kentucky (UK) and graduated from the College of Engineering in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering prior to matriculating to the UK College of Medicine.  In 1996, I continued training in a combined residency at UK in internal medicine/pediatrics. I served as the pediatrics chief resident in 2001, before completing my fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine in 2004.  Since my fellowship, I have been faculty in the department of pediatrics where I am currently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Special Title Series.

My service to UK extends beyond my role as a faculty member.  In the College of Medicine, I have had an active role on the Financial Aid/Scholarship Committee (2005-08), Faculty Council (2008-11, 2019-22; serving as chair in 2020-21), and the Admissions Committee (2021-current).  My clinical responsibilities have included being a neonatologist in our busy neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and helping lead the Kentucky Children’s Hospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program.

I have always been passionate about teaching our students, interns, residents and fellows during my tenure.  My passion for teaching, mentoring, and coaching students remains strong, and recently I became faculty advisor for the newly created Neonatology Interest Group, a sponsored student organization. My interests extend beyond our learners; I also have a deep passion for serving my colleagues across the UK campus.

My institutional history spans nearly 25 years and includes an undergraduate degree from the College of Engineering, medical training and faculty member in the College of Medicine. During this time, I have remained a strong advocate for teaching, mentoring and coaching our students and junior faculty.  I have a firm commitment to shared governance and transparency within the leadership for the University of Kentucky.  Most importantly, I am interested in listening to what our faculty view as issues, opportunities, and challenges that need to be addressed to move our university forward.  I am willing to speak up and advocate for all the faculty at the University of Kentucky, and represent a united voice.

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