Start Year: 2018

College/University: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Medical School: Duke University

Clinical and Research Interests

• Thoracic surgical oncology
• Immunotherapy

What were you looking for in a residency program?

I wanted a program with diverse clinical expertise and high volumes to get a good operative experience. I also wanted to be in a program with ample dedicated resources for research as well as faculty who were committed to aiding residents in their scientific pursuits. Having colleagues I could get along with was another important factor too.

What are the strengths of the Duke program?

There are many strengths, but I think the operative experience is foremost. Duke has strong clinical programs in multiple surgical sub-specialities and you really get an opportunity to learn from many of the best in their respective fields. The research support is also unparalleled. There is ample funding and excellent mentorship. The willingness for the program to accommodate and embrace extensions in research time is also a testament to the program's commitment to creating academic surgeons.

What advice do you have for incoming interns?

Communicating early and often is paramount. You should never worry alone. Also, being respectful to all the members of our patient's care team is critical.

What do you like best about living in Durham and the Triangle?

There's great food and it is very easy to live here.

What do you like to do outside of Duke?

Read, bike, cook.

Honors and Awards

• Lefkowitz Society Inductee
• Rucker AJ, Raman V, Jawitz O, D’Amico T, Harpole D. Lymph Node Assessment in Surgery for Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer. STSA. 2019.
• Cox M, Gilmore B, Rucker A, Leeras H. Surgical Technique and Review (STAR): How to Develop and Implement a Resident-Run Surgical Preparatory Course for Third- and Fourth-Year Medical Students. ASE. 2018.