Nurse Practitioner
Why did you choose burn surgery?
The more I learned about burn patients and the burn community, the more I knew it was the right fit for me. The way that the burn community, and UNC especially, really care for the patient through their whole journey is unlike any other field I have ever worked in. UNC is one of the largest and most comprehensive burn centers in the country and our Aftercare program is robust, which I think is so vital to supporting these patients as they navigate their world after the burn. The burn community is tight-knit and very supportive.
What is your philosophy of care or approach to patient care?
In critical care, especially burns, we often meet patients and their families on one of their worst days. It is important to me to remember that and to be respectful of the fact that this one incident or injury can impact their entire life. Nursing is focused on holistic care, and that carries over into my NP role, where taking care of the patient and their family encompasses more than just the acute medical issue.
Hometown
I was born in Silver Spring, MD but grew up in Kernersville, NC. My husband, sons, and I now live outside of Hillsborough on my husband’s family farm.
College/University
UNC-Chapel Hill, BS Biology 2002
Vanderbilt, MSN Acute Care, 2006
UNC-Chapel Hill, DNP in progress
Additional interests
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling to new cities, and training in powerlifting. And I love to be near the water whenever possible, whether it’s a lake or an ocean.
