2026-2027 Acute Care Surgery APC Fellow
Hello, my name is Kao. I’ve been a nurse for 13 years with experience across a variety of specialties, though the Emergency Department is where I spent most of my time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to be a travel nurse in seven different states, with Hawaii, Arizona, California, and New York being my top favorites. My interest in trauma/acute care surgery grew from my time as a nurse in the ED at Regions, where I had the opportunity to work alongside the trauma team when trauma patients arrived. That exposure showed me the importance of staying calm in high-acuity, high-stress situations, as well as the critical important of teamwork.
Outside of work, I enjoy being active, exploring new places, and cooking! If I hadn’t pursued a career in healthcare, I would be a chef and open up my own Southeast Asian and Authentic Hmong restaurant.