About Me
I was born and raised in and around Chicago. I settled in Dekalb County to raise my family in 2008. I received my Associate’s in Nursing in 2006, and continued on to complete my Bachelor degree from Northern Illinois University. I started my nursing career in the emergency department and then quickly found my calling working with the pediatric population. I have worked in a variety of settings including pediatric emergency department, pediatric medical/surgical unit and pediatrics primary care. I was a Nationally Board Certified School Nurse for a local school district for 10 years. There, I worked with students and families who needed special education services and other health care needs while at school. As a parent I have had the experience of learning that my children had mental health needs. Working in the education field and working with families really sparked a desire to sharpen my teaching skills. I went back to Northern Illinois University and completed my Master of Science in Health Education. I feel my experience both personally and professionally make me an empathetic and understanding provider that can help parents be the best advocate for their child. The healthcare system is becoming more complex as is the medical field. I find through educating my clients, they can achieve a higher level of health by being better and more educated healthcare consumers. I graduated from Regis College in 2019 with a Masters in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. Although I am able to provide care to all ages I have a special passion for working with children and adolescents and their families.
Areas of Clinical Specialty
I provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management for all ages, but choose to focus on children and adolescents with Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
When a child is struggling with a mental health issue it can impact not only their emotional health but their physical, social and academic well being. I understand that waiting months to see a provider can seem like forever when your child is struggling. I chose to become a provider to help decrease wait times, so children can get help sooner and closer to home. Many parents are cautious when it comes to giving their child medication. It is not an easy decision to make, but I hope that by educating my patients and their families they can have the information they need to make the best choice for themselves. My treatment philosophy includes educating the family and child about their condition and working together to develop a treatment plan based on the needs and goals of the patient and family.
Certifications
ANCC board certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Memberships
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
