What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?
My grandmother. She was a labor and delivery nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison in the 1930s.
How long have you been a member of the Wisconsin Nurses Association?
I’ve been an active member of WNA since 2018.
What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?
I appreciate how nurses are trained to think and look at people and issues holistically.
Can you share a memorable experience from your nursing career?
I was working as an APRN doing acute care at an internal medicine practice and found myself frustrated everyday with how broken the healthcare system was. That was the turning point, 18 years ago, when I pivoted my career toward health policy with the intent to help fix the system.
How has being a member of WNA benefited your professional development?
I believe all nurses should belong to their professional association. Being a member of WNA has provided me opportunities to connect with other nurse leaders in the state and build my network across healthcare professionals in Wisconsin. Building your professional network is super important.
What advice would you give to new nurses entering the field?
Nursing is an excellent career choice. My advice to new nurses is to keep learning and exploring opportunities in nursing and beyond in healthcare, industry and academia. Our training and skill sets as a nurse are valued in many other areas and sectors. As nurses, we have a lot of options and flexibility to take our careers in different directions.
What are your favorite ways to unwind and practice self-care?
Relationships are really important to me, so I keep in touch with friends and family. I also love reading with a cup of coffee and taking walks with my dog around the lakes.
How do you stay current with the latest developments and best practices in nursing?
WNA education and reading helps me stay current on the hot topics happening in the field. I also talk to colleagues about the issues of the day – what are they reading? What are they listening to? We share perspectives.
What impact do you hope to make in your community through your work as a nurse?
My work in nursing is not traditional in that my roles focus on health policy at the federal and state levels. I hope my work will change the healthcare system from the top down to improve access to quality care for patients.
What does being part of the WNA community mean to you?
Community and relationships are really important to me. WNA is the heart of our profession in Wisconsin. WNA represents us as nurses. WNA fights for nursing priorities. All nurses in Wisconsin should belong to the WNA.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
Hot Yoga – Walk with my Dog and Spouse – Coffee – Read – Dinner with family and friends
What’s your go-to comfort food?
Indian and Casado
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them!
Yes! I have a mini goldendoodle named Moxie. He’s a pandemic puppy. He loves people and socks best.
What’s your favorite type of music or favorite band?
I like different kinds of music. Lately, I enjoy Soca and Reggaeton. When I need to focus and get work done, I listen to Dolly Parton!
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
I love travelling and learning along the way. I took my family on an epic trip in 2025 where we visited seven countries in Central and South America (Ecuador/Galapagos Islands, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Uruguay, Argentina and Mexico) over four months and explored three world wonders. It was a trip of a lifetime.
Do you have a favorite place to eat in your hometown?
My mother’s kitchen!
What’s something on your bucket list that you hope to accomplish?
Someday I would like to study to become a sommelier.
