I chose dentistry because it demands all three of the things I care about most. The science keeps me sharp, the artistry keeps me engaged, and the relationships with patients make it meaningful. It's the rare career where all three are non-negotiable — and that's exactly what drew me to it.

My real introduction to the field came before dental school, working alongside Dr. Craig Madsen at Madsen & Hirsch in Madison, Wisconsin. Watching a high-functioning, patient-centered practice operate from the inside — the clinical thinking, the long-term patient relationships, the standard of care a truly excellent dentist maintains — set the bar for the kind of dentist I want to become.

I grew up in Madison and have since lived in Minnesota, Arizona, and Colorado, which gave me a broad sense of how different communities relate to healthcare. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to anything, especially not patient care.

I also competed as a varsity swimmer at the University of St. Thomas — an experience that taught me early that precision and composure under pressure aren't optional. They're the baseline.