I have practiced nursing for the past 33 years graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Florida State University in 1987 and then receiving my Masters in Nurse Management Leadership from the OSF St. Francis College of Nursing in 2019. My first nursing position was at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago where I worked on a general Medical/Surgical floor as well as PRN float nurse. Rush provided me the opportunity to strengthen my nursing skills and later apply them to my next nursing position which was at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in the intensive care units, CVICU, SICU and MICU. After several years in the ICU’s, I decided to take a new outlook on nursing and focus on the ambulatory setting which led me to Phase I & II Cardiac Rehab where I worked for five years. I then took a nursing role in the Health Fitness and Wellness department. As time passed, I became the manager of the program in addition to the Faith Community Nurse program. My role evolved into the Ambulatory Nursing Care Manager with a focus on the Faith Community and School Nurse programs along with the Care-a-Van and garden programs in addition to Senior World Adult Day Services.

I am the proud mother of three beautiful and talented children- Emily 24, Ryan 23, and Delaney 19. I have been married to Jim for 24 years and have a maltipoo puppy- Marli Merlot. I enjoy being outdoors with family and friends and keeping active.