Biography
In 1995, I began my journey in patient care as a Combat Medical Specialist (91B) in
the US Army. In 2003, I graduated with an ADN from Tarrant County College (Fort Worth,
TX). Following what I thought would be my one and only educational experience as a
nurse, I fell in love with critical care nursing. I simultaneously felt that I had
not quite reached my potential as a nurse - and I was really onto something with that
notion! I received my BSN from Texas Tech University Health Science Center (Lubbock,
TX, 2006) and completed my MS in Nurse Anesthesia at Texas Wesleyan University (Fort
Worth, TX, 2009). I stayed and practiced in Fort Worth until relocating to Asheville,
NC, in 2016.<br> <br>I began work as an adjunct instructor at WCU in 2018 and knew
that a future in teaching was for me. I joined the faculty in the DNP Nurse Anesthesia
program full-time in 2020 and completed my Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
at Texas Wesleyan University (2021).<br> <br>I have practiced anesthesia in a multitude
of environments, including independent practice at an endoscopy center, and some work
in ambulatory surgery. Most of my experience includes providing anesthesia as part
of a team model at a tertiary care facility. My interests include patient safety,
otolaryngology/head and neck procedures, obstructive sleep apnea, and anesthesia for
the obese population. However, by far, my favorite environment to work in is the academic
one. There isn't anything quite like the energy and enthusiasm surrounding learning
and discovery!
Teaching Interests
Patient safety, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and anesthesia for otolaryngology/head
and neck procedures.
Research Interests
Obstructive sleep apnea, ventilation strategies, and evidence-based admissions strategies.
