Raised in New England, I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal education and classical studies. I came to medicine after a two year stint in research and attended Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City followed by an Orthopedic residency at the University of Michigan. The sub-specialty of Sports Medicine was intriguing because it allowed the study of injured normal tissue.

This translated into a better understanding of injuries in patients with more systemic disease. The interest prompted me to pursue a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of Wisconsin. A cross country trip during medical school introduced me to the beauty of the Sierras and I was lucky enough to return to the area to rock climb, ski and practice orthopedics.