Passionate. Empathetic. Visionary. Resilient.

​These are just a few words friends, family members, former patients, and colleagues have used to describe me over the years.

 

How do I describe myself, though? That's a bit more difficult, if I'm being honest. 

 

I'm deeply human, a constant work in progress, and always trying to show up as the best version of myself that I can muster on any given day. I've survived a lot of trauma, including a Stage 3 tongue cancer diagnosis when I was 37 years old while working as a nurse in critical care, single and co-parenting my son (who was 6 years old at the time). Every time I've thought something would break me, I've somehow grown stronger instead. 
 

Through all of these experiences, including my time at the bedside caring for critically ill patients and my time leading fellow nurses in hospital systems, I became more and more curious about resilience and change. What causes some people to bounce back so quickly and seemingly easily? Why do some systems and people accept change readily while others resist? How can I help others learn to both accept change and build resilience?

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I went back to school and got a Master's degree in Healthcare Innovation where I learned about design thinking and change models. Then I became certified as a trauma-informed coach. Between my diagnosis and now I've worked as a clinical nurse educator, innovation project manager, and survivorship coordinator for a multi-hospital healthcare system. I've served as an advocate on Capitol Hill with Cancer Nation multiple times, given the patient perspective on research grants and through engagements with non-profits and pharmaceutical companies, shared my cancer story on stage and online, and taken on multiple volunteer roles with organizations like the American Nurses Association Innovation Advisory Committee, Ulman Foundation, and the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance.

 

And now I want to work with you!   

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If you live in Maryland you may see me out enjoying hiking trails or on a boat in the warmer months -- I love nature and being on the water! When the weather isn't cooperating I enjoy reading, playing puzzle games, writing, or snuggling with my cat while watching my son build amazing structures in Minecraft.

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