I am a Nurse Practitioner with specialties in Adult Medicine, Gerontology and Dementia Care. Currently, I provide adult and gerontology primary healthcare. During my years of providing primary care I have precepted multiple Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant students. Prior to my role as a provider I have seventeen years of experience in the nursing field in long term and acute care settings including medical, surgical, and intensive care. For five years I taught Nursing School clinicals and lectures.
My passion for working with an older population started when I was a young child going to work with my mother. My mother was a second generation (I am the third generation) nurse who was the Director of Nursing at a Skilled Nursing Facility. I have found memories of spending my summers at work with her and having long talks with residents about their lives, playing bingo, and pushing wheelchairs wherever they needed to go. I truly enjoy getting to know individuals and hearing about the amazing lives they have lived. We could all learn so much from the people who have walked this earth far longer then ourselves! My mother passed away in 2020 after many years with Alzheimer’s Dementia. This has given me the unique perspective of being a caretaker and decision maker for my mother during the last few years of her life. I have the deepest empathy for all families who are coping with their loved ones having dementia, or needing to make end of life decisions.
In addition to my professional roles I have volunteered providing medical care in Central America and Africa. I have served on an international disaster relief team during times of civil war and healthcare crises in developing countries. Outside of work I enjoy healthy living including marathon running, triathlons, kayaking, hiking, and family. I have five amazing children gifted to me through birth and adoption as well as fostered fifteen incredible children. My goal in life is to live every day to the fullest, never take anything or anyone for granted, and try to make the lives of other people better to the best of my ability.
EDUCATION:
Doctor of Nursing Practice Maryville University, St. Louis Missouri, 2019
Masters of Science Degree in Nursing, Maryville University, St Louis Missouri, 2015
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, Faculty Honors, University of Washington, 2009
Associate Degree in Nursing, John A. Logan College, 2005
Certificate Dementia Care Specialist, Evergreen College, 2020
EXPERIENCE:
2020-present
ARNP Primary Care, Long Term Care facilities, Geriatric and Dementia Care, Internal Medicine Consultants NW
2015-2020
ARNP Primary Care, Whidbey Health
2007-2015
Registered Nurse, Medical/Surgical/ICU, Whidbey Health
2013-2015
Adjunct Faculty, Skagit Valley College