Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and the moment you knew you wanted to pursue a career in medicine.

A: I am the child of two neuropsychologists, both emeritus UF professors, who built careers steeped in mentoring trainees. Growing up in that environment instilled in me a respect for service and inquiry, and it certainly shaped my career interests as an educator. During my undergraduate years, I realized I wanted a path where I could blend my “nerdy” love of biology and leading-edge science with the human side of caring for people.

In between college and medical school, I worked in a basic science lab at the National Institutes of Health. A few doors down, I could literally watch how the work I was doing with a pipette translated into better care for patients. That experience solidified for me that medicine was where I was meant to be, a field where science and compassion intersect and have real impact.

Q: Why did you select hematology/oncology as your specialty? 

A: Hematology/oncology drew me in because of the profound relationships it allows with patients and families. You walk alongside people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and it is an honor to be trusted with such depth of care.

Hematology/oncology also requires both technical expertise and deep empathy, which appeals to my love of science and the constant innovation, discovery and opportunity to make lives better for patients. It’s a specialty that requires both technical expertise and deep empathy, and that balance gives me a real sense of fulfillment as a physician.

Q: Why have chosen to build your career at UF? 

A: When I was the program director for the hematology/oncology fellowship program and would interview applicants, I described it as “the feeling in the hallway.” UF has been a wonderful, collaborative place to train and work, and that has kept me in Gainesville much longer than I ever anticipated. The opportunity to grow within an institution that has invested so much in me feels both natural and special.

Q: Can you share an experience from your career that shaped your leadership style or approach to medicine?

A: One of the greatest gifts of my career has been the mentors who invested in me and modeled the kind of leader I aspire to be. I carry immense gratitude for these individuals because they have modeled for me the kind of doctor and leader I want to be. There’s one memory I return to often. As a first-year fellow, I saw a gravely ill patient in the ER with one of my attendings, a world-renowned hematologist who later became one of my dearest mentors. He was dressed that day in a very fine suit, and I assumed he would be hands-off. Instead, I watched as he pulled up the bedside commode and sat right down, simply to hold the patient’s hand as he spoke honestly with them and their family. It was the smallest gesture, yet it made the biggest difference. That image of humility, presence and service has shaped both my approach to medicine and my leadership style.

Q: As someone who trained here, what impact do you hope to have on current and future trainees? 

A: I hope to model that it’s possible to build a fulfilling career that integrates service, scholarship and leadership while staying true to who you are. For me, success has never been a one-size-fits-all definition; it looks different for each person. I want our trainees to feel both supported and stretched in the right ways with challenges that spark growth, confidence and purpose. Most of all, I want them to be excited about their futures and to know UF is a place where they can thrive not only in achieving their professional goals, but also in growing as whole people.

Q: What is your vision for the future of graduate medical education at UF? 

A: My vision for graduate medical education at UF is to cultivate a community that invests in our people, strengthens partnerships and drives meaningful progress. For me, that begins with ensuring our residents, fellows, faculty and coordinators feel both supported and challenged to grow. It also means fostering strong collaboration across the College of Medicine, our hospital partners and the broader health system because we can only advance graduate medical education when we work in true partnership. Progress, to me, also means embracing innovation. Whether through new educational models, leadership development or the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies like AI, we have a tremendous opportunity to transform how we train and support physicians. Looking ahead, my goal is to position UF as a national leader in graduate medical education where we are not only keeping pace with a rapidly changing health care environment but also helping to shape it by preparing physicians who are ready to lead the future of medicine.

Q: Are there any new graduate medical education initiatives or areas of focus you’re especially excited to introduce or expand upon?

A: ​​I’m excited to expand professional development for faculty and coordinators, who are the backbone of graduate medical education. Investing in their growth directly enhances the training environment for our residents and fellows. I’m also energized by creating new opportunities for housestaff that go beyond clinical mastery, including leadership development, systems and operational skills, and individualized support through coaching. Preparing them to lead teams, advocate for patients and thrive in complex health systems is essential to their future success.

To match this investment in people, we also need to evolve our training structures. This means creating a smoother transition from medical school into residency, making sure our graduates are ready for the realities of practice and weaving AI into education and care in ways that always keep human connection at the center. These opportunities excite me because they will shape not just how we train physicians, but also how we prepare them to lead in the future of medicine.

Q: What is a good day at work for you? What makes you feel professionally fulfilled?

A: There is no typical day in graduate medical education, and that’s part of what keeps me energized. I am constantly adapting to the needs of the day. I am a very relational person, and I love problem-solving in partnership with others, whether that means working with a resident or fellow, supporting a program director or coordinator or collaborating with hospital and college colleagues (sometimes all of those on the same day!). Just as important, I love cheering on my team and celebrating the wins, big and small, that move us forward.

I also love caring for my patients, and some of my most meaningful days are those spent walking with patients and their families through their cancer care. A good day is one where I’ve helped things run a little more smoothly, encouraged someone to lean into their strengths (and leaned into my own) and experienced the joy that comes feeling the momentum of moving things forward together.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about what you do for fun when not at work?

A: I love spending time with my husband and our two teenagers, who keep me grounded and bring me a lot of joy (and maybe a few gray hairs!). I also cherish time with dear friends and love to travel, whether that’s exploring new places or returning to favorite spots. At home, you’re likely to find me tending to my flower garden, chasing after our chickens or curled up with a warm blanket and a good mystery novel. Photography is another passion of mine — it helps me capture and savor both the adventures and everyday moments that bring balance to my life.