I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Growing up, sports were always my number one focus (aside from school, of course) and a bonding source with my family. This instilled in me an early appreciation of the need for mobility and was ultimately a key influence in my decision to pursue a career in Orthopaedic Surgery. I met my wife, Moira, while attending high school. We both attended the University of Florida for our undergraduate studies and could reasonably be described as rabid Gator fans.
Thereafter, we moved to Nashville, where I completed medical school at Vanderbilt University. We moved back to Gainesville, FL where I completed both my residency and fellowship at the University of Florida. Early on in my training, I developed a fascination with joint replacement because of the dramatic, life-improving impact that I witnessed in our patients.
We were drawn to Western North Carolina because of the natural beauty and welcoming personalities that we encountered. Escaping the Florida heat and humidity was an added bonus as well! In our free time, we enjoy spending time outdoors with our two dogs (Smokey and Chacco), exercising, yoga, watching virtually all sports (but especially the Gators), sampling the local cuisine and brews, and traveling.
I look forward to bringing expertise in hip and knee replacements to Haywood County. I was fortunate to train under prominent leaders in the field during Medical School at Vanderbilt as well as Residency and Fellowship at the University of Florida. I will implement both proven methods as well as advanced technology to allow Haywood's residents to receive the best possible care locally. As an area that features some of the most picturesque natural landscapes in America, having pain-free mobility is essential to allow residents to explore the local beauty.
Many surgeons are capable of performing a technically good hip or knee replacement. What I think distinguishes me is that I seek to treat every patient as an individual. I strive to know all of my patients on a personal basis, allowing us to decide in tandem the best course of treatment, whether surgical or nonsurgical.
To me, no patient will ever be just a number or an x-ray.
Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Residency: Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Florida
Fellowship: Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, University of Florida
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science, University of Florida
Hip replacement surgery
Knee replacement surgery
Partial knee replacement
Direct anterior hip replacement
Minimally invasive surgery
Computer/robotic-assisted knee replacement
Revision (redo) hip and knee replacement
Fracture surgery
Orthopaedic trauma
Rapid recovery protocols
2019, 2020: UF Highest Orthopaedic In-Training Exam score, 99th percentile nationally
2019: International Congress for Joint Reconstruction 'Gamechanger' research award
2018: American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Resident Scholarship
2011-2015: Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship recipient, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
2010: Anderson Scholar with Highest Distinction, University of Florida
2009: Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society