How many years have you been practicing and where did you graduate from?

I graduated with my Associate’s degree in 2002, my Bachelor’s degree in 2005, and I graduated with my Master’s degree for Nurse Practitioner in 2018. I’ve been practicing as an Adule Gerontologic Nurse Practitioner since 2021.

What do you enjoy most about serving Appalachian Mountain Health patients here in Western NC?

I’ve spent my career serving people that are in underfunded and underserved areas of populations by working for not-for-profit organizations. I worked for the Veteran’s Health Administration a couple of different times, and I’ve spent a lot of time in emergency departments. I’m now spending time working in the outpatient setting for a similar population and I really enjoy getting patients care in places and in situations where it may be difficult for them.

What is your approach to patient care?

I think you have to meet the patient where they are in order to develop a plan that’s going to work for the patient, as opposed to sort of dictating what they need to do. Ultimately, I like to find out what it is that they feel they can do and work with them to ensure compliance and motivation in their care.

What is one piece of health advice you find challenging to follow yourself?

Sleep hygiene. I’m really bad at it and I treat a lot of patients with sleep disturbance.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Homeplace in Burnsville.

Do you have any special interests?

Gerontology, and working with the older adult poplulation. I have a couple of dogs that I spend a lot of time with, I kayak when I can, love to read, paint, and bake sourdough bread.

What languages are you fluent in?

English.