About Me
I’m a transplant hepatologist and associate professor – clinical of Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. I specialize in managing patients with liver cancer, cirrhosis and those who need liver transplantation.
I attended Emory University where I majored in chemistry before moving to Cleveland to attend medical school at Case Western Reserve University. I completed a residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, after which I served as a chief resident at University Hospitals of Cleveland. After residency, I completed a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Vanderbilt University and pursued additional training in transplant hepatology. I also obtained a Master of Public Health from Vanderbilt.
At the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, I serve as the director of the Hepatobiliary Tumor Program in the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and also serve as the director of quality, patient safety and experience for our division. I also serve as the medical director of Endoscopy and Gastroenterology services at Ohio State East Hospital.
I’m passionate about patient education and access to care because I believe education is empowerment. The more patients know about their disease process, the more likely they are to meet in the middle to achieve a mutual goal of success.
My research interests include hepatocellular carcinoma and disparities in patients with liver diseases. I have published multiple peer-reviewed publications, delivered multiple presentations and collaborated throughout the state of Ohio and nationally, highlighting liver cancer and disparities.
In addition to my clinical, research and administrative endeavors, I have been recognized as an excellent teacher and was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Ohio State University Department of Internal Medicine in 2017. I was also awarded the Mentor of the Year Award from the Department of Gastroenterology, recognizing my work with residents and medical students as a clinical researcher and mentor. In 2019, I was awarded the Fred B. Thomas Teaching Award by the GI fellows, which recognizes the outstanding faculty teacher. On a national level, I serve as chair of the Internal Medicine Section of the National Medical Association (NMA). Founded in 1895, the NMA is the oldest and largest national organizations representing African American physicians and patients. I also serve on the Minority Affairs and Cultural Diversity Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology.
My most important roles, however, are being a mother and daughter, and sharing the adventure of life with my incredible husband. In my spare time, you can usually find me with a good book or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
Highlights
- Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list
Education and Training
Education History
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
Medical School
9/1/2002 - 5/21/2006
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
Medical School
9/1/2002 - 5/21/2006
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
Medical School
9/1/2002 - 5/21/2006
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
Medical School
9/1/2002 - 5/21/2006
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Internship
7/1/2006 - 6/30/2007
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Internship
7/1/2006 - 6/30/2007
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Internship
7/1/2006 - 6/30/2007
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Internship
7/1/2006 - 6/30/2007
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Residency
7/1/2007 - 6/30/2010
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Residency
7/1/2007 - 6/30/2010
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Residency
7/1/2007 - 6/30/2010
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Residency
7/1/2007 - 6/30/2010
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Residency
7/1/2010 - 6/30/2011
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Residency
7/1/2010 - 6/30/2011
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Residency
7/1/2010 - 6/30/2011
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Residency
7/1/2010 - 6/30/2011
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Fellowship
7/1/2011 - 6/30/2014
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Fellowship
7/1/2011 - 6/30/2014
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Fellowship
7/1/2011 - 6/30/2014
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Fellowship
7/1/2011 - 6/30/2014
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Graduate
8/13/2012 - 5/9/2014
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Graduate
8/13/2012 - 5/9/2014
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Graduate
8/13/2012 - 5/9/2014
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Graduate
8/13/2012 - 5/9/2014
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Fellowship
7/1/2014 - 6/30/2015
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Fellowship
7/1/2014 - 6/30/2015
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Fellowship
7/1/2014 - 6/30/2015
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Fellowship
7/1/2014 - 6/30/2015
Board Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology
10/1/2014
American Board of Internal Medicine/Advanced Heart Failure-Transplant Cardio
11/2/2016
Academic Information
My Department
Internal Medicine
My Division
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
