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

A: ​​I have wanted to be a physician for as long as I can remember. I loved science and biology, but what truly captured me were early experiences watching physicians care for people during vulnerable moments, both on television and in real life. I was especially inspired by female physicians who combined knowledge, compassion and confidence to earn deep trust and respect from both team members and patients. Even early on, I knew I wanted to be a physician leader who blended science, meaningful human connection and leadership, and medicine felt like the perfect fit.

Q: Why did you select pediatrics as your specialty?

A: During my early medical school years, I was convinced I was headed for a career in surgery; however, everything changed during my third-year pediatric rotation. I was drawn to the partnership with families and the team-based approach to care. Children are not just small adults, and their unique physiology and pathology require constant adaptation in how we diagnose and treat illness. That complexity consistently keeps the work intellectually challenging and deeply engaging. I was also struck by the resilience of children and their families, even in the most difficult situations. As I have grown as a leader, I have found that many strengths of pediatric care delivery, including a family-centered approach to care and the importance of patient education, also translate well into adult care models.

Q: You completed your undergraduate degree, medical education and residency at UF and have chosen to build your career here. Why?

A: I initially chose the University of Florida for its strong reputation and affordability, which was especially important to me as a first-generation college graduate. Over time, UF became home. My experiences as a medical student and resident in pediatrics were exceptional and being asked to stay on as chief resident and then as a faculty member opened my eyes to academic leadership, medical education and the operational side of medicine. With the mentorship of leaders like Dr. Maureen Novak, staying at UF felt like a natural extension of a community that had already shaped me both professionally and personally.

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

A: My year as chief resident was one of the most formative experiences of my career. It taught me how to navigate competing priorities, advocate for what is right and lead with empathy while still making difficult decisions. Listening first, building trust and supporting people through real challenges became foundational to my leadership approach. My first year as chief medical officer in 2022 further expanded that lens, requiring me to think beyond pediatric clinical care and focus on optimizing care across the entire ambulatory enterprise. The mentorship and support of Laura Gruber and Dr. Marvin Dewar were instrumental in helping me succeed early in my role.

Q: What is your vision for the future of UF Health’s clinical practices? What do you see as the biggest opportunities?

A: My vision is to build a patient-centered ambulatory system that delivers exceptional care while fully supporting the clinicians and teams who provide it. As my role expands beyond the Gainesville region, I see myself as a voice for excellence in care delivery across the system. I also view it as my responsibility to advocate for physicians and team members by ensuring they have the tools, resources and workflows needed to deliver high-quality care.

Key opportunities include improving access, strengthening care coordination and quality, advancing value-based care and thoughtfully leveraging technology and AI to reduce administrative burden. This work is not about adding expectations, but about partnering with care teams to simplify processes, remove barriers and create clarity, allowing them to focus on patient care.

Q: What has been your proudest professional moment thus far?

A: My proudest moments have come from earning the trust of UF Health leaders and being selected among many talented peers to take on expanding responsibilities in support of the UF Health enterprise. Being able to contribute at both the individual patient level and the system level, while working closely with primary care, specialty and surgical teams, is incredibly fulfilling.

Along the way, I have learned that real change in health care takes time. It requires patience, persistence and a willingness to stay committed even when progress is not immediately visible. Now, after three years in the chief medical officer role, I am especially proud to begin seeing the results of the work that required sustained effort and collaboration. Seeing those efforts translate into improved seven-day post-discharge follow-up, reduced readmissions, the creation of a value-based care team and obtaining new primary care medical home designations reminds me why the time and energy invested in this work truly matters.

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

A: Outside of work, my favorite moments are spent with my husband, Todd, and our two children, Sofia, a high school student, and Colton, a UF student. I love being present for my daughter’s volleyball games and cheering her on whenever I can. I also enjoy reading, playing pickleball, spending time outdoors and caring for our rescue animals, including dogs, cats, chickens and donkeys. Those moments help me recharge and maintain balance.