Practitioner spreading hope, healing and education

“I didn’t just want to volunteer to assist those in need, but seek a career in which it will be my responsibility to do so on a daily basis.

It is the reason why I wanted to become a nurse practitioner. Receiving a HRSA grant allowed me to focus my energy on my studies and giving back.

In 2004, I went on my first mission trip to the Dominican Republic and it left a lasting impression. The people were so happy and grateful to just be seen. Since then, I have led two other medical mission trips to that region and plan to join a volunteer group that travels annually to Nicaragua.

Of course, our own community needs help too. I was introduced to Shepherd’s Hope while in the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at UCF. Since graduation, I have continued to volunteer at the center providing care to the underserved with the same passion and competence that I do in my practice.

My background is in intensive care, but my passion lies in keeping people out of the hospital by empowering them with the knowledge and tools they need to keep healthy. As a nurse practitioner, I am able to provide compassionate care while taking the time to listen to each patient and educate them on their specific needs.

While all of my patients inspire me, what really makes it worthwhile is when a patient looks me in the eye, smiles and says ‘thank you.’ To quote my UCF nursing professors, nursing is not about the job or the tasks. It’s the attitude and spirit behind what we do.”

UCF Affiliations

• Alumna, ’15MSN, ’18DNP