Tom attended undergrad at University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he studied biomedical engineering and then went on to receive his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He completed his pediatric residency at Dell Medical School in Austin, Texas.

During residency, he participated in research projects looking at the need for ophthalmologic exam in children presenting with intracranial hemorrhages as well as using POCUS to determine the physiologic quantity of intraperitoneal free fluid in health children. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as backpacking, canoeing and running.