What is your favorite thing about the University of Florida?
My favorite thing about the University of Florida is the people. From my first day here, I have been consistently impressed by how welcoming, supportive, and collegial the faculty, staff, residents, and my co-fellows have been. That kind of environment makes a huge difference in training and creates a place where people genuinely want to help each other grow. The program also offers incredible strengths, including exposure to diverse pathology, excellent ultrasound training, meaningful procedural experience, and strong collaboration with services like Neonatology, Cardiology, Infectious Disease, Transfusion Medicine, Interventional Radiology, and OB Anesthesia. But to me, those opportunities are made even better by the people who make this such a positive place to learn and work.
What do you love to do during a weekend off?
On a weekend off, I enjoy getting outside and exploring all that Gainesville and the surrounding area have to offer, especially hiking, kayaking, and spending time in nature. I also enjoy going to Gator sporting events, trying local restaurants and breweries, and spending time with friends. One thing I especially appreciate about Gainesville is its location, since it is easy to take day or weekend trips to other great Florida destinations like Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Amelia Island, Orlando, Tampa Bay, and St. Petersburg.
What has been your favorite rotation and why?
My favorite rotation has been ultrasound. Although I really enjoy my research and genetic rotations, the ultrasound rotation has been especially rewarding because of the quality of the teaching and the pathology we are able to see as a referral center for fetal conditions and placenta accreta spectrum. Our ultrasound director, Dr. Abu-Rustum, is a wonderful advocate for fellow education and ultrasound training, and our sonographers are also fantastic teachers during hands-on scanning. I especially value the protected scanning time early in fellowship, which helps us become comfortable with image acquisition before moving on to interpreting studies, writing reports, and providing maternal and fetal ultrasound consultations. I am also excited to spend time learning gynecologic ultrasound in my third year of fellowship.
What attracted you most to the University of Florida?
What drew me most to the University of Florida was, without question, the people and the culture. I had a unique perspective as I worked as a nocturnist on Labor & Delivery here for two years prior to starting fellowship, which gave me firsthand experience working closely with the nursing staff, residents, medical students, and the MFM faculty. That experience gave me a genuine appreciation for how collaborative, supportive, and team-oriented the environment at UF truly is. The team’s dynamic and genuine investment in both patient care and trainee growth made it feel like the right place to continue my training. In addition to the culture, UF offers outstanding clinical training with strong exposure to advanced obstetric ultrasound, maternal critical care, prenatal diagnostics, and research. The combination of exceptional people and robust, well-rounded clinical training made UF an easy choice for me.
What do you love to do during a weekend off?
Weekends off in Florida have truly been some of the best times for me. I’ve picked up several new hobbies that have really contributed to my overall well-being. Gardening has become my go-to—everything grows here, and as a first-time gardener, it’s been so much fun to learn and watch my plants grow. My husband and I also enjoy going to the The FIRM for driving events and the monthly Cars & Coffee. There’s a surprisingly strong car community in Gainesville, which has been a really fun part of living here. And of course, you can’t beat the Florida weather—there’s always time for the pool or a beach day, no matter the season, which we take advantage of as often as we can.
What do you love to do during a weekend off?
Living in Gainesville makes every free weekend an opportunity for adventure. This area has some incredible places to kayak – I’ve found myself paddling along the Santa Fe River through Gilchrist Blue Spring State Park, swimming in the natural springs of Ginnie Springs, and relaxing on the crystal clear water of Rainbow River – there’s a kayak run for whatever weekend mood you’re in! When I’m wanting to put some miles on my feet, the Sweetwater Wetlands and San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park have great trails that I can run, walk, or just hang out with my family and dogs. Of course, no weekend is complete without a morning enjoying brunch – HASS Kitchen, The Flying Biscuit Café, and O.A.K. have been my favorites!
What has been your favorite rotation and why?
Our inpatient antepartum service has been the most exciting and educational service to cover thus far. Each day on service presents new obstetric challenges, ranging from high intensity critical care to patient centered counseling and multidisciplinary discussions. We also have the opportunity to work closely with our labor and delivery team during this rotation to help manage obstetric emergencies and interesting clinical scenarios. This environment is not only mentally stimulating, but allows you to strengthen your surgical, procedural, and sonography skills.
