I’ve been a PA since 2011. I practiced general surgery for my first year before transitioning to cardiothoracic surgery. I’ve been in CT surgery for almost 15 years, including nearly 10 years at Rex. I have always wanted to work in cardiac surgery. I love the challenge of caring for sick patients and find working in a high-stress environment invigorating. I feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride in harvesting essential vein conduits in the OR and autonomously caring for our patients on the floor. It’s rewarding to see a patient’s entire perioperative journey—from preoperative consultation to the operating room, ICU, step-down unit, hospital discharge and finally outpatient follow-up in the clinic. It’s gratifying to see the role we play in improving someone’s quality of life.