Nursing leader with a heart for cardiac patients. I have been in the cardiovascular realm since the early 1990's as a CMA and became a cardiac nurse in 1997. I have a broad range of experience from ICU, stepdown, cardiac rehab, cath lab, ED, home health, PACU, and quality. I have been both an informal and formal leader throughout my career and have experience in the academic and private arenas.
My drive came from my father, who passed away at the young age of 65 with heart disease. I watched him experience cardiac surgery (when this was in its early stages), heart failure, phlebitis, pulmonary edema, and I grew up in the cardiac icu as he was frequently hospitalized in the 70's and 80's. I never wanted another little girl or boy to have to watch their parent go through such a devastating disease process. I made nursing my life's career and developed my passion for the American Heart Association Heartwalk. Now I lead a great team of individuals at the University of Kentucky who care for the sickest of patients in Kentucky and nearby states and are keeping patients, like my father, alive with a better quality of life than he could have ever imagined. I am thankful to be a part of this awesome team.