My passion for medicine began long before I understood what healthcare truly was. At just four years old, my grandfather trusted me to help administer his insulin injections. That simple act sparked a lifelong fascination with caring for others and planted the belief that healing is built on trust, compassion, and connection.
I spent 13 years as an emergency department nurse, where I learned to remain calm under pressure, recognize critical illness, and care for patients during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. The emergency department taught me that exceptional healthcare isn’t simply about treating disease. It’s about listening, identifying what matters most, and helping patients feel seen during times of uncertainty.
I earned my Master of Science in Nursing from George Washington University and became a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, allowing me to expand my role and provide comprehensive care for patients across the lifespan, from infancy through older adulthood.
My first years as a nurse practitioner were spent in urgent care, where I combined my emergency medicine background with primary care principles. From fractures and lacerations to acute illnesses and preventive care, I developed a collaborative approach that emphasized treating the whole person rather than simply addressing the immediate complaint.
My career then led me into urology, where I refined procedural skills, assisted in surgical care, and developed expertise in men’s health, hormone replacement therapy, kidney stone disease, urologic cancers, and neuropathic conditions. This experience reinforced the importance of combining technical expertise with patient education, empowering individuals to better understand their health and actively participate in their care.
Most recently, I have practiced as an inpatient surgical nurse practitioner, caring for patients alongside general, bariatric, colorectal, and urologic surgeons. My work includes evaluating and managing surgical emergencies, caring for patients with conditions ranging from appendicitis and gallbladder disease to bowel obstructions and complex postoperative care. Working with bariatric and colorectal patients has further strengthened my appreciation for individualized treatment plans and the lasting impact that realistic, sustainable health goals can have on a person’s quality of life.
Throughout every stage of my career, one philosophy has remained constant: medicine is most effective when patients are treated as whole people, not diagnoses.
That philosophy became deeply personal after I spent years searching for answers to my own chronic pain. Like many patients, I experienced the frustration of knowing something wasn’t right while struggling to find lasting relief. I was fortunate to become Hannah’s patient, and through Counterstrain I experienced meaningful improvement when traditional approaches had fallen short. That experience didn’t just change how I felt. It transformed the way I think about healthcare and inspired me to pursue advanced Counterstrain training so I can help others find the same hope and healing that I was fortunate enough to experience.
Today, my goal is to combine evidence-based medical care with innovative approaches to pain treatment, helping patients not only manage disease, but restore function, improve quality of life, and return to the activities they love. I believe that true wellness comes from understanding the entire person, not simply treating the symptoms that bring them into the office.
Outside of medicine, I believe in living the same healthy lifestyle I encourage in my patients. I enjoy endurance sports, hiking, climbing, cycling, and running, and I’m currently training for my first Ironman. I believe growth happens when we challenge ourselves, and I have always been someone who runs toward the things that seem intimidating. To me, the unknown isn’t something to fear. It’s simply another adventure waiting to be experienced.
When I’m not caring for patients, you’ll usually find me exploring the Pacific Northwest with my child, Rose and my Labrador Retriever, Truffle. Whether we’re hiking mountain trails, discovering new places on two wheels, or simply enjoying time outdoors, those adventures remind me that health isn’t just about treating illness. It’s about creating a life that allows us to fully experience the people, places, and moments that matter most.
My goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers patients to understand their bodies, overcome pain, and build healthier, more fulfilling lives. Whether I’m treating an acute illness, managing chronic disease, or helping someone find relief from persistent pain, I strive to be the provider who listens first, partners with my patients, and helps them rediscover what they’re capable of.