Tell us a little about yourself and your background – where you grew up, went to school, your family, interests, hobbies, etc.
I grew up in Kaysville, UT, and graduated from dear old Davis High School. After graduation, I served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the beautiful state of Montana. When I returned home, I started my undergraduate studies at Utah State University and absolutely loved it. Following graduation, I traded the chill of Logan, UT, for the warmth and sunshine of southern Utah as I attended Rocky Vista University – Southern Utah for medical school. I was fortunate to return to my native Kaysville for my third and fourth years of medical school, where I met and married my wife, Abby. Shortly afterward, we started our residency at McKay-Dee, and it has been a wonderful journey so far. We are expecting an addition to our family in February 2023 in the form of a little baby boy, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
Some of my interests and hobbies include basketball, running, guitar, reading, and watercolor painting.
Tell us about the journey that took you to medical school and eventually to family medicine. What factors influenced your decision to become a doctor and pursue family medicine?
I think I first started considering medicine as a career when I was a sophomore in high school and took a human biology class. I was absolutely amazed while learning about how the body functions. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to all those years of medical school and residency. I had some neat experiences with family members volunteering, and in my undergrad studies, which helped me ultimately decide to become a physician. And I think I always knew deep down that I wanted to practice family medicine. I love the variety and the patient relationships. I also really enjoy sports medicine, and becoming a family physician gives me fun
opportunities there.
I understand you were in the first graduating class from Rocky Vista University-Southern Utah. What was it like being “pioneers” of a sort in a brand-new school?
I honestly had a fantastic experience. Sure, there were some bumps in the road with getting a new school up and running, but overall, it went really quite well. We had excellent faculty at our campus as well as our sister campus in Colorado. I especially enjoyed the school’s location in Ivins, just outside Snow Canyon State Park. I feel fortunate to have been in the first graduating class and for the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with some truly wonderful classmates.
What drew you to apply for residency at McKay Dee? How has your experience been there?
Growing up in Kaysville, I occasionally visited McKay-Dee to see family and friends treated there and was just impressed with the hospital in general. As it happens, one of my mentors trained there and had nothing but good things to say about the program, which interested me. I did a sub-internship during my fourth year of medical school and really enjoyed working with the residents and faculty. I was especially drawn to the sports medicine training and opportunities program. It felt like a good fit to me, and I feel so lucky to have wound up here. Residency is tough, and some days are harder than others but knowing I have the friendship and support of my fellow residents makes all the difference.
What kind of practice or additional training are you looking to pursue after you complete your residency?
I am hoping to practice general outpatient family medicine. I really enjoy the variety of things that come through the door in family medicine. And I hope to continue seeing a wide range of patients in my future practice.
If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice – either as a medical student or new intern – what would you tell your younger self?
It’s okay not to know something. Medical students and residents are under a lot of pressure to get things right. But really, it’s impossible to remember everything you’ve ever read or learned. Of course, it’s important to do your best but don’t hold yourself to an unrealistic standard. Approach each day with a willingness to learn, and you’ll be just fine.
