I am a Ph.D. student in Health and Behavioral Sciences and my research interests center on empathic communication, patient-provider relationships, and health workforce development. Specifically, I develop research-based empathic training tools for health providers to prepare them for the difficult, emotional situations that arise within their practice. Based on these training tools, I lead workshops on empathic communication for a range of providers including medical trainees, university choral directors, community members, and COVID-19 case investigators. I am a researcher and program manager for the Arizona State University COVID-19 Case Investigation & Community Response Program under the direction of Professor Megan Jehn where I develop and test training interventions to boost the public health workforce and response. Ultimately, I hope to continue researching strategies that can strengthen the patient-provider relationship and foster patient and community well-being.