Why I chose to pursue a career in healthcare:

First I am a nurse, then a nurse practitioner. My mother was my first patient straight out of nursing school, I cared for her until she died a year later. I knew from then on what I wanted to do. I want to help people, treat people and listen to people.

What I want my patients to know about me:

I am a mother to two wonderful children, who have both graduated from college and moved away from home. I was a nurse for 30 years before I decided to further my education and become a nurse practitioner. I worked in long-term care for 23 years, went from being a unit manager to a house supervisor, then assistant director of nursing and then director of nursing for 10 years. I am a very good listener. My patients and staff tell me I am very patient. I treat my patients with respect, empathy and compassion. Being a mental health nurse practitioner, I believe every patient is unique. I believe the illness does not define the patient, and that the illness is not the patient, rather the patient has that condition.

What I do when I'm not seeing patients:

When I'm not working, I read a lot, spend time with my friends and love to take long walks with my dog. I exercise every day.