Dr. Michael graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. He was Captain of the nationally ranked tennis team, earning Most Valuable Player status in 1991. Following a short career as a mountain guide, he later attended the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He was an active member of the Medical Student Executive Committee and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha academic honor society and the Imhotep Leadership Society. Upon completion of his internship in general surgery, he began his neurosurgical residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He served as Chief Resident of the program during his final year. Under the influence of Dr. Jon Robertson, he developed a significant interest in skull base neurosurgery. Following graduation, he completed a twelve-month international fellowship in skull base and open vascular neurosurgery in Bristol, England, under the guidance of Professor Hugh Coakham and Mr. Richard Nelson.

His research interests are focused on resident education and skull base neurosurgery. He has been heavily involved in resident education through the years and currently holds the title of Professor of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology and Program Director for the neurosurgical residency program at the University of Tennessee. He is also the Co-Director of Cranial Base Surgery for the Methodist Brain and Spine Institute. Service within the field of neurosurgery is very important to him, and he is heavily involved with multiple national and international organizations at the leadership level. Recently, he was elected as the Chief of the Unified Medical Staff for Methodist-Lebonheur Healthcare.