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What does a typical week look like for you?

A typical week during fellowship includes four days in the operating room and one day seeing patients in the office. Knicks games are usually in the evening, so after completing my clinical responsibilities for the day, I head to the arena. It can make for some long days, but being involved with the team was one of the most rewarding aspects of my fellowship experience.

What goes on behind the scenes to keep these elite athletes performing at peak condition?

Like everything in sports, it is truly a team effort. The Knicks have an incredibly talented and dedicated support staff unlike anything I had experienced before, from athletic trainers and player development personnel to massage therapists and physician consultants across multiple specialties.

The most important components are communication and trust. These athletes have an incredible level of commitment to their craft, and there is an entire team working behind the scenes to support them in every possible way. Everyone plays a role in helping players stay healthy, recover effectively, and perform at their highest level.

How did F&M prepare you for medical school?

F&M taught me time management and how to thrive in demanding environments. The support I received through health professions advising helped me successfully balance a rigorous academic schedule, collegiate soccer, study abroad opportunities, and the pre-med curriculum.

Being a member of the women鈥檚 soccer team shaped me in ways that extend far beyond athletics. It taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork, adaptability, and how to stay focused on long-term goals even when faced with setbacks 鈥撯�� skills that have been essential throughout medical school, residency, and fellowship.

I was also fortunate to be a Marshall Fellow, which funded a medical mission trip and gave me the opportunity to witness healthcare delivery in underserved communities. That experience broadened my perspective on medicine and reinforced my desire to pursue a career centered not only on clinical excellence, but also on service, advocacy, and meaningful patient care.

Can you expand on the benefits of a liberal arts education?

One of the greatest advantages of my experience at F&M was the opportunity to become a more well-rounded thinker and communicator. The smaller class sizes fostered meaningful relationships with professors and encouraged active engagement in the classroom. I benefited tremendously from the mentorship and individualized attention that can be difficult to find at larger institutions.

A liberal arts education also teaches you to approach problems from multiple perspectives. As physicians, we are not only scientists, we are communicators, educators, advocates, and team members. The diverse academic experiences at F&M helped me develop critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. Looking back, I felt exceptionally well prepared not only for medical school, but for the interpersonal and leadership demands of a career in medicine.

What advice can you give to current F&M students or young alumni considering the highly competitive world of professional sports medicine?

Keep going. You are often shaped more by your setbacks than by your accomplishments. Every challenge, disappointment, and obstacle can teach you something valuable if you are willing to learn from it.

It is also important to recognize and appreciate the people who help you along the way. Seek out mentors, learn from them, and then make it a priority to mentor others in return. Medicine, and especially sports medicine, is built on relationships, teamwork, and paying opportunities forward.

Most importantly, remember to be a good person. Character, integrity, humility, and compassion are the foundation of being a great physician. Surgical skill and medical knowledge are essential, but how you treat patients, colleagues, and everyone around you will define both your career and the impact you have on others.