Current Fellows

Hometown: Memphis, TN
Undergraduate: Lee University
Medical School: Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University
Sub-Specialty Interest: molecular genetics, digital and telepathology in general

Why did you choose VUMC Pathology: Of course, I wanted a strong program with excellent training, a variety of fellowship opportunities, and a history of excellent post-training job opportunities, but several things set Vanderbilt apart:

1. Location. Nashville is a great city with four milder seasons so you can be outdoors all year—hiking, biking on trails all through the city and suburbs, lake life, and even sandy lakefront beaches. The cost of living is a bit prohibitive and the summers are humid, but overall it was a good fit. The city life is amazing as well from concerts to professional sports to live music on every street corner.
2. Family-friendly program. I was pregnant with my 1st child during residency interviews and during the first year of residency, I had my 2nd child. Many of our residents are married with young children. I love that I can thrive at Vanderbilt at both my jobs—pathology training and parenting.
3. The Vandy family! The residents and faculty have great relationships with each other. Our path techs are knowledgeable, friendly, and superb teachers. It feels like a tight-knit community, and I’m sure we will maintain our relationships for our whole careers.

Fun fact about yourself: I worked as a Navy physician after medical school (HPSP scholarship). I have two kids, aged 2 and 4. I am the resident who lives the farthest away (Spring Hill, 45-minute commute).

Hometown: Lubbock, TX
Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Sub-Specialty Interest: Hematopathology, Transfusion Medicine, Molecular Genetics

Why did you choose VUMC Pathology: The genuine social environment and diversity of training experiences.

Fun fact about yourself: I enjoy learning about wildlife, and I spent a month studying primate behavior and ecology in Costa Rica.

Hometown: London, KY
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Sub-Specialty Interest: Hematopathology and Surgical Pathology

Why did you choose VUMC Pathology: I wanted to experience a medium-to-large program at a new location that was well-supported at an institutional level, strong and balanced between AP and CP, and was in close proximity to family.

Fun fact about yourself: My wife and I have 2 dogs and 1 kiddo!

Undergraduate: University of North Texas
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Sub-Specialty Interest: Pediatric Pathology

Why did you choose VUMC Pathology: The aspects of a residency program that were really important to me were strong academics, a supportive environment, diversity within the program, and a wide range of fellowship options - all within a city where my partner (a creative type) and I would thrive. I really felt like this was a hard ask, but I could not have anticipated how great of a fit Vanderbilt and Nashville ended up being for me. We have a large PGY-1 cohort and we are all from really diverse backgrounds. Most importantly, we all work together really well and we really care about each others’ success. I have felt extremely supported by the upper-level residents and fellows and pathology assistants, who are all really supportive, patient and overall just really excited about teaching and learning from each other. I really do consider myself quite lucky to have been chosen to be a resident at Vandy Path.

Fun fact about yourself: When I am not doing path-related things, I enjoy spending time with my two dogs (Maddox, a whippet, and Ella, my little brown potato) and my partner. Getting to explore Nashville has been so much fun! The food scene is incredible. I enjoy running and there are a lot of really great parks and trails in the area. I love doing artsy/creative things (embroidery/painting/decorating, you name it) and I really love thrifting. I will guiltily admit that I watch too much TV and I tend to watch Bob’s Burgers on repeat.

Engage with Amber: