Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Medical School: Yale University
Residency: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
GI Fellowship: Indiana University School of Medicine
What attracted you to transplant hepatology?
My interest in transplant hepatology comes from the opportunity to care for complex and, at times, critically ill patients in the inpatient setting while also following patients longitudinally and developing lasting therapeutic relationships. Evaluating and caring for patients through the transplant process, in collaboration with surgeons, cardiologists, critical care physicians, social workers, therapists, and nutritionists, continues to be rewarding on a daily basis.
Why did you choose IU School of Medicine for fellowship training?
IU School of Medicine has a longstanding depth of experience in liver transplant, with a rapidly growing program that is one of the largest in the Midwest. IU School of Medicine also offers the chance to train with a diverse and large group of hepatologists — from world leaders in research on MASLD, alcoholic liver disease, and drug-induced liver injury to staff who have decades of clinical experience managing complex transplant patients — all of whom have been supportive and willing mentors. IU School of Medicine is also in a unique position — it is the only academic center in the state and therefore provides care for all Hoosiers with liver disease, which offers the chance to serve in the place where I grew up.
What are your research and career aspirations?
I am interested in joining a large academic transplant group and am focused on optimizing care for patients with chronic liver disease, both before and after transplant. Currently, I am working on projects investigating health-related quality of life in liver transplant survivors and the effects of immunosuppression induction on post-transplant outcomes.
What is living in Indianapolis like for you?
I grew up in central Indiana but was out of the state for 16 years for undergraduate and medical training until moving back for fellowship with my family. During that time, Indianapolis had become an even better place to live. I look forward to weekends enjoying a vibrant and easy to access downtown, plenty of great restaurants to explore with my wife, outdoor spaces, the Children's Museum and the zoo with my kids, and Pacers and Colts games with my brothers or co-fellows.
What does your future look like right now?
Exciting and grounded at the same time. I'm looking forward to learning so much as I complete my fellowship, continuing to care for hepatology patients from all over the state of Indiana, and all in a place that my family is lucky enough to call home.
