When I was 7, my brother passed away from brain cancer. This happened in the 1960s, and there were no resources for him, my other brothers or myself. We were very protective of him and each other. We had to learn how to grieve. This experience made me a strong advocate for people in similar situations, especially my patients.

As an advanced practice nurse, I care for children and adolescents with craniofacial conditions; abnormal head shapes (plagiocephaly); reconstruction after cancer; and chronic, traumatic, surgical or complex wounds. I use a comprehensive approach to care that involves considering each patient’s social, emotional and physical well-being to optimize their outcome.

I have a master’s degree in genetic nursing, which causes me to look at each patient as a unique individual. I also have a master’s in perinatal health, and I care for each child as though they were my own.

I was proud to receive Cincinnati Children’s CARES Spirit Award in 2010. I was a nominee for the Florence Nightingale Award for Nursing Excellence in 2010.

In my free time, I like to snow ski, power walk and adopt rescue dogs. I also play the ukulele.