After twenty years in medicine and experiencing many different cultures, I am convinced that the best medical outcomes are achieved when the patient and provider are on the same page. I have a pragmatic approach that balances anticipated downtimes with the busy lives we all lead. I expect my patients to be engaged and take part in the medical decision-making process. If you find this appealing, please read a little more about me.

I was born and raised in Oklahoma City and graduated from Classen School of Advanced Studies with an International Baccalaureate degree. I was awarded the Wilkins Scholarship and graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South with honors in Philosophy. With my compass set away from Oklahoma, I signed into the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD for medical school and became an Army Officer.

During medical school I vacillated between pediatrics, dermatology and physical medicine. Though I was fascinated by skin disease, the allure of a pediatrics residency in Hawaii took us on a three-year adventure bouncing around the Pacific Rim. Upon graduation, the Army sent my belongings to Colorado and me to Afghanistan where I had the honor of caring for a multinational population of Soldiers and civilians in harm’s way. During my deployment downtime, I poured through dermatology text books and published several papers while applying for a second residency in dermatology.

It was an amazing week when I left Afghanistan, reunited with my growing family for Christmas and received orders to the Naval Medical Center San Diego to start my training in Dermatology. After much early morning and late-night studying, my interests gravitated towards medical dermatology—acne, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, eczema, allergic contact dermatitis and cutaneous oncology. After dermatology training, I transferred to Columbia, SC and provided dermatologic expertise to new army recruits and instructors. My proclivity for academics inspired me to become a guest lecturer and consultant for the USC Medical School and Pediatrics and OBGYN residency programs.

I then spent four years caring for patients across Italy and Germany while chasing my families’ extra-curricular passions for biking, hiking, cooking and experiencing new (or old) cultures. We recently returned home to the DMV with two kids fluent in Italian and holes in our hearts that had once been filled by fresh pasta and chianti! I currently serve as the Department Chief at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. It allows me to teach the next generation of doctors while ensuring that I maintain the most up-to-date knowledge base for my patients.

I am an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, the National Psoriasis Foundation and the Women’s Dermatology Society. I am honored to be one of the newest editors for Dermatology World. Most importantly, I look forward to providing you and your loved ones with safe high quality dermatologic care!