Why I chose to pursue a career in healthcare:

As a small child I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I wanted to take care of people. Some say it's a calling, but my mom was a nurse, and I suspect I inherited that nurturing quality from her. After working for a few years, I wanted to expand my interaction and clinical skills with patients, so I pursued a degree as a nurse practitioner. It has been a great career, working with patients of all ages and various stages of health. I have the opportunity to care, educate and assist patients in many aspects of their health care. I love being a nurse practitioner and can't imagine doing anything else.

What I want my patients to know about me:

I encourage regular and preventative care. Much like taking your car to the mechanic, regular health maintenance can prevent major issues or minimize effects of the problem. I believe knowledge is power. I like teaching patients about medical conditions, nutrition and medications, as well as giving patients tools to manage their health issues and maintain their quality of life. I want to help patients take better care of themselves.

What I do when I'm not seeing patients:

My family is very important to me, so I spend as much time with them I can. I like being outdoors, and I enjoy all four seasons. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, swimming and horseback riding.