About Me

I loved nursing from my earliest years. My mother admired nurses so that probably had something to do with it. My first real job was as a nurse's aid. I made a difference to the elderly patients and being needed in this way was a heady discovery! It confirmed my career choice. I graduated from college ready to save the world. I joined the Air Force to see the world, the carrot that induced me to join was an assignment to Spain. It was thrilling to stand in the throne room of the castle in Segovia knowing Columbus stood there pleading with Isabella and Ferdinand for money! I loved the Air Force. I learned that southern hospitality deserves it's high reputation. I married a wonderful man and we have four children; each was born in a different state! After 20 years, I left the Air Force as an anesthetist with a master's degree and good memories. I joined Kaiser Permanente in 1999 and enjoy working here as much as in the Air Force.

About my practice

Nursing is a profession with many facets and allows us to defer deciding "what we want to be when we grow up." I loved working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Department and in Maternity before becoming an anesthetist. Nurse anesthesia is a delegated practice of medicine. As a nurse anesthetist, I have additional education in the art of delivering anesthesia. I am an independent practioner. The educational formation of doctors and nurses differs but we each have something unique to offer. The collaborative practice model embraced by Kaiser Permanente consisting of a CRNA and an anesthesiologist offers the best of both worlds to our patients. I love my work and believe it is the best job in the world! Health care providers have a unique opportunity to enter people's lives. Seeing someone bravely cope with challenging medical problems inspires my admiration and humility. Seeing families cherish a loved one throughout surgeries or extensive courses of treatment makes me hope I could rise to the occasion as well, were I in their shoes.

How I thrive

Balance. I thrive by balancing my passion for work, family and church. Reading has always been a major window into the world for me. Travel allows me to appreciate both how unique and how connected we all are. I have been to five continents and hope to see seven. Sedentary by nature, I have to work at remaining active and maintaining a healthy weight. Health is a precious gift, it is worth discipline and effort to retain it!