PALLIATIVE CARE CONSULTANT
I came to nursing
to create more equanimity in difficult situations.
When I started in nursing, I found myself deeply moved by work in the children's hospital, and in the Vanderbilt Trauma unit, where I began the journey to become the nurse practitioner I am today. I became curious about what is possible in the moments of most need. It was there, in places of trauma and pain, that I found ways to create more comfort for patients and families.
As I moved into palliative care, I learned that I could not only create comfort for patients but also for their families, in some of the most important days of their lives when they were at their most vulnerable. Discovering the best outcomes in difficult situations has been my passion since. Above all else, my deepest desire is to provide all who seek my advice, a soft place to land.
I came to nursing later in life and was accepted into one of the first residency programs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. It was when we got to the ICU, and decisions needed to be made about the next steps of care that I found my calling. During my time at the level one trauma unit I became a relief charge nurse and began helping families navigate goals of care conversations.
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The trauma unit worked in companionship with the palliative care team, and​ after witnessing their compassionate conversations, I began the transition from trauma to palliative care. 2012, I was part of the team that shaped the palliative care unit at Vanderbilt, a one-of-a-kind inpatient palliative care unit. A natural fit, I stepped into leadership roles to help individuals, families, and communities navigate end-of-life care in a way that reflected open, honest conversations, void of fear.
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It’s not always easy to have conversations that pertain to poor survival prognosis, code status, and recommendations for comfort care. These suggestions don't often land on open minds. Without honest upfront conversations, we take away the ability of the patient and family to make informed decisions. It is a privilege to support individuals and families in navigating this next stage in the journey, and I would be honored to support yours.
Philosophy
I support people in palliative care with kindness, compassion, and care.
When people are dismissed as patients, they can be silenced, and defer to the status quo. Already in a vulnerable place when they come to palliative care, it is even more important to look at the whole person: the arc of their life, their wishes, and how we can make them most comfortable.
My goal is to reduce loneliness in the process
Whether it is a friend who needs our guidance and discernment, or a partner, parent, boss, or child, I am committed to staying connected so that you understand every part of the process. This includes the arc of the medical system: what it offers, what it doesn't, and how you can make the best choices. And we do it together to form a plan so that we can inspire the best outcome for the person who is relying on us for their care.
Facilitation is my greatest strength
I have been working with families and individuals to navigate difficult situations to create more comfort for their loved ones in need for over 15 years. When we gather to learn more about the patient's needs, our resources - both emotional and logistical - we can get to the center of the situation and build a plan that will best serve the one who needs it most: the patient.
Not all familial or communal networks are harmonious, and I understand that. By working compassionately and with clear boundaries, it is my goal to ensure that each person involved understands the systems, and what will be best for the patient. I possess the tools to create restorative experiences when they seem least available.