As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I care for hospitalized patients who need chronic mechanical ventilation through a tracheostomy tube and noninvasive mask ventilation. I also provide care for patients with cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary conditions.

I believe in collaboration amongst all members of the care team and the patient family. This includes doctors; nurses; respiratory therapists; occupational, physical and speech therapists; social workers and care managers. We all work together for the good of the patient, helping them to achieve their best life.

I am duel credentialed as a primary care family nurse practitioner and an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner. I am also certified in advanced pediatric and adult life support, as well as advanced disaster life support.

I coordinate the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Pre-Plan Program for the Division of Pulmonary Medicine. We created a tracking and awareness system for EMS and fire first responders and community hospitals. This helps responders recognize the special needs of the complex patients living within their coverage area. The program also provides the training needed to best care for these patients.

We want our first responders and these complex patients to meet and know one another before an emergency situation occurs. We use a combination of telehealth and in-home visits to ensure that first responders have all the pertinent patient information. This means they can provide immediate care when an emergency happens.

Before going to nursing and graduate school, I trained and worked as a respiratory therapist. I have a strong interest in mechanical ventilation in the critical care and critical care transport areas. This work inspired me to learn more and make a difference for patients and families at another level.

I’m honored that my first book chapter, “Disaster and Mass Casualty Preparedness, Response and Recovery,” was recently published in The Specialty Practice of Rehabilitation Nursing: A Core Curriculum [C. E. Jaceon (Ed.), Pitman, NJ: Jannetti Publications, Inc., (8th ed, 2019)].

In my free time, I enjoy ham radio, reading anything – especially lots of science fact and fiction – music, travel and dog training.