Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to help people. It took me some time to figure out exactly what that would look like, but once I discovered medicine, I found a way to combine my nerdy love for science with a strong desire to care for others.
I attended Bradley University before earning my medical degree from A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completing my family medicine residency at the University of Missouri.
What drew me to family medicine is the opportunity to care for the whole person, not just a single condition or organ system. My special interests really are the patients themselves. I get to care for people of all ages, build relationships over time, and be there through the different stages of their lives. There’s something incredibly rewarding about celebrating milestones, navigating challenges, and caring for multiple generations of the same family.
I believe excellent clinical care should always be paired with empathy and compassion. I want patients to feel comfortable, heard, and supported; and I want them to know their questions matter. One area I’m especially passionate about is health literacy. Medicine can be overwhelming, and patients deserve to understand what is happening with their health and why. Whether we’re talking about preventive care, managing a chronic condition, or making an important healthcare decision, I want to provide information in a way that is clear and useful.
My goal is to empower patients to advocate for themselves and feel confident participating in their own care. I see the physician-patient relationship as a journey. Being able to walk alongside someone through the ups and downs and helping them work toward their health goals is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Outside of medicine, I’m proudly a nerd at heart. I enjoy video games, painting miniatures, and getting lost in science fiction and fantasy novels. I’m also passionate about weightlifting and bodybuilding. My wife, Emily, is a pediatrician at JCMG, and we have a one-year-old son. Becoming a dad has given me an even greater appreciation for the trust families place in their physicians.
More than anything, I hope to build relationships that last and provide the kind of compassionate, whole-person care that helps patients and families feel supported throughout their lives.