Age: 34
Occupation: Clinical Assistant Professor – University of Iowa Health Care
What is your greatest professional achievement: My greatest professional achievement was working together with Dr. Nicole Nisly to open the University of Iowa Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ) Clinic. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to make an impact in individual lives and that of an entire community on a daily basis through my work with the UI LGBTQ Clinic.
Who are your mentors: My mentor is Dr. Nicole Nisly, professor of internal medicine and co-director of the UI LGBTQ Clinic.
Best advice you ever received: The best advice that I have ever received was to never underestimate the power of hard work.
What is your biggest passion: My biggest passion is caring for transgender patients and lesbian identified couples during their pregnancy, labor and delivery. I also have a passion for educating future and current health care providers about the specific needs of the LGBTQ community.
What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier in your career: I now understand the importance of working toward solutions in a collaborative environment, even if it means compromising on some of my requests.
How do you ensure a balance between work and your personal life: I ensure balance in my life by scheduling in weekly date nights with my wife and protecting time with my family. I have also chosen to work only 80 percent full-time equivalent to allow for more flexibility in my time.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you: I came to Iowa City to attend physical therapy graduate school and after my first semester decided to pursue medicine.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace: We are technologically savvy, though still prefer talking to texting.
