Although I was born in the small town of Smithville, TX, I am privileged to have traveled to 7 countries and 26 states. Growing up with 2 sisters and 3 brothers, I lived what many would consider a hectic childhood in several different regions of Texas, Minnesota, and Florida, but the experiences taught me the value of independence, perseverance, and free thought.
After attending 5 different high schools, I graduated from my home town school in Smithville and moved to Fort Myers, FL to pursue my college education. Unhappy with the traditional degree programs, I researched creative ways to expedite the undergraduate education experience, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Investment Finance from Florida Gulf Coast University in just over 2.5 years at the age of 20, while completing a 16 month internship at an industry-leading financial services company and becoming a licensed Florida Real Estate Salesperson.
With 14 osteopathic physicians in my family that span 3 generations, many specialties, and several geographic regions, it was only natural for me to pursue a career in medicine. I returned to academics at the University of North Texas and earned my Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management in only 14 months while completing the 32 hours of science courses prerequisite for admission to medical school, working as a business development consultant to private medical practices, and authoring my first book called College Degree - Half Price!: How To Finish College In Half The Time... And For Half The Price!.
After a week long visit and an interview at the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), I bought a house in Harrogate, TN and have called it home since July, 2007. East Tennessee is the ideal blend of all the places I lived in the past: southern hospitality, outdoor culture, and beautiful scenery. After being accepted to the class of 2012 at LMU-DCOM, I look forward to further immersing myself into the community in the tri-state area through my continued involvement in various community and university organizations while learning new things from the interesting new people I meet.
