Caring for others, especially those who are sick, is my vocation. I want those who trust me with their care to feel their best and I treat them just as I would treat my own family members. I began my career in healthcare as a CNA in long-term care while working on my first nursing degree. I graduated from Moraine Park Technical College in 2009 with an Associate Degree in Nursing and then began my 10-year career as an ICU RN. While working in the ICU, I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, then returned a few years later to complete my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in 2019. I am certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). I am a few months away from earning a certification in functional medicine (IFMCP). I have 16 years of experience volunteering (as RN and NP) with the homeless and uninsured, along with having spent time as a clinical nurse educator.

During my time in the ICU, I became accustomed to taking care of some of the sickest and most challenging patients. I learned that no two patients are exactly alike, even if they share a diagnosis. The experience of illness and suffering is different from one patient to the next, just like the experience of health and wellness is. I learned to listen to my patients, even the ones who couldn’t communicate verbally, so that I could provide the best care based on their needs. When I transitioned to the outpatient side of healthcare as a Family Nurse Practitioner, one of the things I was most excited about was the opportunity to help patients before they were at the point of needing the intensive care unit. By identifying risk factors and the root causes of existing illnesses, sustainable changes can be made to achieve and maintain wellness.

My primary commitments are to God, my husband, and my three children. After that, I tend our small collection of animals (dwarf goats, cats, and two tortoises). Other things I enjoy include reading, crocheting, gardening, and coffee.