Quick Facts:
Joplin
Q. Did you always know you wanted to be a health care provider?
A. I wore my first nurses' cap when I was 4 years old and my mom graduated as an RN. I thought I wanted to teach and as I started to get my general courses out of the way, I had a biology course that I really enjoyed. At the same time, my husband started having health issues and I saw all that nurses could do and help patients with. I went to the nursing department just to see what they offered and left with a new major and am so thankful I did!
Q. What drew you to pulmonology/sleep medication?
A. I worked in critical care as an RN. I cared for patients that were brought to us for acute respiratory failure, COPD exacerbations, shortness of breath and who were in distress. I always saw patients feeling their worst as they struggled to breath and were scared. Some patients had never been sick before, while others had been in and out of hospitals and did not understand their disease process and/or could not afford medications. It might take days or weeks to get them recovered and once they were discharged from our unit to the floor, I never knew what happened to them. I enjoyed doing the hospital and clinic side and now just focus on the clinic. I enjoy helping patients understand their disease process and helping them to breath and sleep better.
Q. What is your favorite thing about your job?
A. I find that working as a nurse practitioner in pulmonology and sleep fulfills every aspect of what I enjoyed in nursing. I am able to spend time with patients and their family while helping them understand their disease process and treatment plan. This job is challenging and extremely rewarding.
Q. What made you want to join Mercy?
A. I consider Mercy my home. As a brand new RN, I grew up at St. John's/Mercy, learned so much and worked with many amazing co-workers and physicians. When the opportunity came for me to work as an NP at Mercy, I was excited to return!
Meet Our Team
