Growing up in a Medical family, it was only natural that this would eventually be my own path in life.
I have been a Nurse for nearly 20 years, and a Nurse Practitioner for 10 of those years; board certified in Family Practice. I graduated from University of St. Francis in Joliet, Summa Cum Laude, and was active in the Honor Society, among other organizations. My career in nursing began at a University Hospital setting, in PICU; where I cared for Pediatric Cardiac Transplant, as well as Pediatric Oncology and BMT patients. While working there, I had the privilege to complete an Ethics Fellowship. It was here that my passion for Palliative Care was fueled, as I noted a “gap” in care. I organized a team – in order to develop a training program; Project HOPE (Helping Others through Palliative Education), teaching classes to nurses and staff members, as well as presenting to Medical Students and Faculty of the University. I co-wrote a grant and obtained funding to initiate a Pediatric Palliative Care program, which has since grown and remains strong. My career then took me to adult Thoracic Surgery and Oncology. From there, my practice moved out into the community – where I was the primary APN in numerous nursing facilities for 6 years. I always found that Palliative Care was needed in every area of medicine I worked.
I was approached by a former colleague to then consider a career at Angels Grace; as their Nurse Practitioner. Working with Angels Grace Hospice and Palliative Care for the past 4 years has brought me full circle – and now, I feel as though I’ve come home in my career. Palliative Care has always been, and remains, a passion for me. I see the difference it makes in my patient’s and family’s lives. We discuss goals of care, and they are supported throughout those difficult conversations and decisions. I consider it the greatest privilege to be allowed into the lives of my patients and families at such a vulnerable time. It is quite humbling, and I continually thank my patients and families for allowing me to be a part of this very special journey.
Hospice Care & Comfort (Palliative) Care: What’s the Difference? Posted in: Hospice Services - Palliative Care (PC) is often misunderstood and compared or confused with Hospice Care. The common misconception is that you have to be dying to receive the benefits of Palliative Care. Hospice Care and Comfort (Palliative) Care differ in many ways. First of all, PC is not Hospice Care, but Hospice… Continue Reading
How Are Hospice Caregivers Different From Other Nurses? Posted in: Hospice Services - It’s hard to think about who will be the hospice caregiver for you or your loved ones if you are terminally ill at home or at a nursing facility. There is so much medical care that needs to be offered to patients as they near the end of their lives.… Continue Reading
What to Expect During End of Life Care Posted in: Hospice Services - There is a perception or misconception with “hospice” or “hospice care”. Most tend to think that they are giving up. Hospice is actually a beautiful end of life care program that helps the patients and their families enjoy their time together in whatever time span that may be. The Angels… Continue Reading
V10-3: Adults Unaware of Palliative Care Posted in: Community Education Quarterly - Palliative Care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) can improve quality of life for patients with a serious illness and provide much-needed support to family members. However, the majority of adults in America are not aware of, nor do they understand, the goals and benefits of palliative care. Continue Reading
Aug / Sept / Oct 2019 Newsletter Posted in: Quarterly Newsletter - Minimal Knowledge of Palliative Care Among U.S. Adults Highlights Need to Raise Public Awareness In a national survey of Americans aged 18 years or older, nearly three-quarters reported they had never heard of palliative care, illustrating a serious need to raise awareness of and provide accurate information about the goals… Continue Reading
Palliative Care Could Cut Health Care Costs by $103 Billion Posted in: News & Events - Palliative care could reduce societal health care costs by $103 billion within the next 20 years, the nonprofit economic research group Florida TaxWatch said in a report. The group recommended that policymakers take action to expand palliative care utilization in the state. Palliative care in general can reduce health care… Continue Reading