Hometown: Northeast Pennsylvania

First Year Resident -2005-06

Undergraduate: Harvard University

Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis

Internship: St. Louis University

I grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania, spent my undergraduate years at Harvard where I concentrated in biology, and attended Washington University in St. Louis for medical school. When I visited Duke Eye Center as an applicant, I sensed that the residents were genuinely happy with their training and that they had great relationships with both fellow residents and faculty. Although details from the interview trail often become blurred, the positive impression from my interactions with the people here remained strong and helped place Duke at the top of my list.

I feel fortunate to be a part of the Duke Eye Center family, and the people here are its greatest strength. The faculty is top-notch, yet extremely approachable. I’ve felt comfortable dropping by attendings’ offices to discuss patient care or research ideas; impromptu chats in the hallway are not uncommon. Earlier this year I sought an attendant’s advice on one of my Durham VA (Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital) patients with a possible ocular tumor. Although already swamped with his own patients, he made special arrangements to evaluate the patient, and we came in together on a holiday to perform the patient’s biopsy. It is this dedication that keeps loyal patients traveling for hours for their (ophthalmology) care. Duke also makes an effort to select fellows and residents who work together well. My fellow trainees are not only great colleagues, but also wonderful teachers and friends.

As first-year residents, we spent two rotations at the Durham VA (conveniently located just across the street from the Eye Center), which serves as the major ophthalmic referral center for military veterans. Although attendings are always available, the clinic is largely resident-run and staffed by a team of two first-year residents, one second-year and one third-year. The balance of autonomy and supervision can at first be challenging but is extremely rewarding. As first–year residents, we learned to manage a wide range of ophthalmic problems and performed a large number of laser and minor room procedures. We also performed our first cataract surgeries as first-years at the VA. Clinics can be busy, but the program also allows time for a structured didactic series of morning and evening lectures and conferences as well as time for independent study and research. As our chairman Dr. Epstein is fond of saying, one of the department’s missions is to train inquisitive clinicians. Duke Eye Center has a strong research program. Researchers and clinicians are all in one building, making it easy to get involved with projects which are shared at our annual Residents' and Fellows’ Day in June.

I haven’t decided whether to practice comprehensive ophthalmology or to pursue a fellowship after residency, but our program has a good mix of graduates entering both. The department is also strong in all the subspecialties, so I am confident that I will be prepared for any path I choose.

Durham is very livable, with affordable housing, little traffic and plenty to see and do. As a Northeast transplant, I have enjoyed settling into the warmer weather and cultivating a taste for Duke basketball and Southern barbecue.