Carolyn grew up in Southwest Washington and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. Before medical school, she worked as a professional writer and clinical researcher, experiences that sparked her curiosity about patients’ stories and the systems that shape their lives. She completed a post-baccalaureate at Northwestern University before returning to the Pacific Northwest for medical school at OHSU. At OHSU, Carolyn served as Class President and held leadership roles in several student organizations focused on mentorship, career development, and narrative medicine. She was elected to both the Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism Honor Societies and received the Edward S. Hayes Gold-Headed Cane Medical Student Award for compassionate patient care. She was also an AHEC Scholar, reflecting her commitment to rural and underserved communities across Oregon. Carolyn’s academic interests include maternal-fetal medicine, palliative care, and chronic illness. She is especially interested in how clinicians can better understand and support patients’ lived experiences. Carolyn became a mom during medical school and loves connecting with patients about the unique journey of parenting. She is thrilled to continue building her community in Portland while exploring all the beauty and adventure that Oregon has to offer!