Executive Director, Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program
Associate Professor
Please share a little bit about yourself.
I am a two-time graduate from Creighton University. I obtained my undergraduate and medical degree from Creighton. I met my wife, Sara, who also graduated from Creighton’s medical school. We returned to Creighton in July 2022 and live in Phoenix, AZ and work at the Phoenix campus.
How did you decide to become a medical doctor? Do you have a specialty and/or favorite area of focus?
I knew I wanted to be a doctor since I was in elementary school. It was a calling from a young age. My specialty is internal medicine and infectious disease. I also have a Masters of Public Health (MPH) and serve as the executive director of Creighton’s Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program.
Can you share your education journey? We would love to hear about your coursework, practicum, boards, etc.
My undergraduate degree was in Biology with a co-major in Theology. After undergraduate graduation, I spent a year doing post-graduate volunteer work on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota which was one of the most influential years in my life. I returned to Creighton for medical school which was an amazing educational experience. I did my residency training in social medicine and internal medicine in the Bronx, NY at Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center working in underserved communities. I also completed a three-year fellowship in Infectious Disease at the University of Washington where I also completed a MPH. I also lived abroad for many years in a number of sub-Saharan countries working to restore and improve health systems in rural underserved settings.
What kind of licensure is required to practice? Can you share an overview of how you prepared?
A number of exams are required to be practice medicine. There are 3 national board examinations (Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3) that have to be passed as well a national board exam for the your medical specialty to be board certified. In my case, I have to take certification exams for both Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease. There are many ways to prepare for the Step examinations and specialty board examinations. Most require online or in-person courses and practicing board questions through an online question bank. Reading journal articles and attending continuing medical education lectures that are offered by Creighton University are other ways to stay current on up to date knowledge.
What led you to working with Creighton University?
I wanted to return to a Jesuit Institution that embraces the Jesuit values. It is inspiring to work at an institution that is social justice focused and dedicated to training students, faculty, and staff to work with populations that are marginalized.
What is your least favorite part about being a physician? Conversely, what is your favorite part?
I would like to start with what is my favorite part because being a physician is one of the greatest privileges. I really enjoy meeting people who are sick and are facing a challenge in their life. Being able to walk with a patient and share in their journey of illness while working to alleviate the illness is a humbling task. I also enjoy teaching students about social justice, health equity, and the racism that exists in medicine to help bring change to the structural racism and violences that exist in our current medical system. Now, one of my least favorite parts of being a physician is the United States medical system does not believe healthcare is a human right; rather, it views healthcare as a commodity and service that can be purchased. If you have money and a job that comes with good benefits, one can afford healthcare. However, for many people and for many of the patients I work with, accessing healthcare and resources is a challenge.
What’s something that people might not know about being a physician?
Being a physician opens doors to many types of jobs. We often think physicians only work in a clinic or hospital. However, physicians can use their skill sets for other types of work. They are administrators, such as CEO and CMOs, of healthcare corporations or non-governmental organizations. Physicians also do a lot of policy and advocacy work. They help to write bills and make important policy decisions that influence the health in our country. There are even physicians who are elected to public office. Physicians also are researchers who make important scientific discoveries.
What advice do you have for someone who is interested in starting their own journey to becoming a physician?
The most important thing to do is discern what your calling is. If your discernment process is pulling you to become a physician (or anything else), have the courage to pursue it.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Being with my family. We love to explore the outdoors and go on hikes. We also enjoy exploring the Phoenix parks, baking desserts, and playing card games.
Do you have a favorite book, television show, film, or podcast?
Yes, I really enjoy reading books written by Dr. Paul Farmer and poetry by Maya Angelou. For fun, I recently started listening to Strike Force Five podcast by the five late night comedy show hosts who got together to raise proceeds for the Writers Guild of America strike.