I spent my childhood in a small town called Hinckley, in the suburbs of Cleveland.  As the oldest of four, I learned responsibility and accountability early on.  From a very young age I knew that I wanted to pursue medicine based on my love for science, however, this idea became solidified my sophomore year at Miami University when a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  I had experienced healthcare on a professional level, but now I was forced to confront illness on a personal level. From that day forward I set my sights on a career in medicine.