Bio
The beginnings of my career as a nurse practitioner can be traced back to my experience as a cancer patient as a teenager. I survived chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and continued on to college, and a liberal arts degree. After several post college years in various positions (teaching, sports massage, smoking cessation work), I embarked on an accelerated course of study at UCSF to be a PNP.
After graduation, as a National Health Service Scholar, I was obliged to serve for two years in a health professional shortage area. I was fortunate enough to do so in San Antonio with a community clinic that provided health care services to a large school based clinic, a children’s shelter, and a primary care clinic on the southwest side of town. I learned a lot working in there, but was happy to return home in 1997, when I began working at Kaiser, Santa Rosa.
I have no children of my own, but have a partner of 13 years, a dog, and a rich array of nieces and nephews, as well as numerous hobbies and interests, including cycling, photography, hiking, writing, cooking, and psychology. I’m currently pursing a second NP certification, so when you see the initials FPMHNP, you’ll know this means I passed my family psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner boards. But don’t be put off by all those initials. Bottom line is: I love the work of health care and healing, especially with children and families, and look forward to working with you and yours! |
