Why I chose to pursue a career in healthcare:

I took the long path to becoming a nurse practitioner. I always knew I wanted to do something in health care but wasn't sure what. I started as a physical therapist assistant for five years, then went back and became an RN. I worked as an emergency department/trauma nurse for nine years. While I loved that role, I also realized that so many patients I was caring for needed more attention on disease prevention and management of their chronic conditions. I knew I could fulfill that role in family practice, and that's what I now enjoy doing.

What I want my patients to know about me:

I like to focus on disease prevention by educating my patients about how they can improve their overall health, as well as how to make good choices to care for existing conditions. I enjoy getting to know my patients, and I will try to make you feel comfortable as we work together to keep you healthy.

What I do when I'm not seeing patients:

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, exercising, movies, and cooking. I am married and have two sons who I spend most of my time with. I spend as much time as I can at the beach.