When I was growing up, I loved to babysit my nieces and nephews, and one of my nieces had a rare genetic disorder that required extra care and attention. It took a long time for her to get a diagnosis, and this is when I started being curious about the critical thinking of medicine.

My career at Cincinnati Children’s started as a patient care assistant, and I decided to continue my career as a physician assistant (PA) here. As a PA, I provide advanced practice provider (APP) support for CCHMC Hip Preservation Specialists, Dr. Whitlock and Dr. Tamai. I am able to utilize my experience in leadership, inpatient, outpatient, and OR settings and apply enhanced knowledge across all phases of care to improve and provide the best care for our hip patients.

I love the orthopaedic surgical specialty, where I can utilize my first-assist skills and procedural skills when needed. But most importantly, I was drawn to the outcomes that many surgical hip patients experience. Surgery can improve their conditions while preserving their hips and delaying the need for a total hip arthroplasty, and we get to see the positive impact hip surgeries can have on their lives.

My philosophy of care is to listen well, to understand concerns from the patient’s perspective, and treat them with respect and compassion. I strive to take extra time to make quality improvements and improvements in patient safety. I’m always excited to see what my patients can teach me through our interactions. I received the Cincinnati Children’s Highest Orthopaedic Patient Experience (HOPE) Award in 2013.

When I’m not helping patients, I like to spend time with my kids and husband doing whatever it is they love or want to do! This usually involves playing in our yard, on the swing set, at the pool or at the park.