Improving outcomes and experiences

I completed my undergraduate education at Villanova University where I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) which included an Undergraduate Research Fellowship. My first position as a Clinical Nurse was at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Shock Trauma SICU where I learned how to be a critical care nurse with a very high acuity patient population. I eventually moved back to Pennsylvania and began work in Lehigh Valley Health Network's MICU/SICU/ECMO unit at their main campus in Allentown. I learned a great deal about pulm/crit there, including ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). 

This led me to pursuing my graduate education at the University of Pennsylvania where I completed my Masters of Science in Nursing(MSN), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.  I began my career as a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner at  Thomas Jefferson University Hospital with the Departments of Anesthesia and Cardiac Surgery in their CVICU. I would later move on to work as the inaugural ECMO & Cardiogenic Shock Coordinator advancing my experience in administration (Quality improvement, program restructuring) and research, along with patient care coordination. This led me to begin my Doctor of Nursing Practice back at UPenn. As of March 2023 I have relocated to Southern California with my family to pursue an opportunity with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in their CSICU!

 Credentials

• Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) licensed in PA, NJ, FL and CA
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certified - Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG)
• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
• Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC)
• Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC)

NPI: 1962046110

I am a vigilant detail-oriented provider. I work well under pressure and provide high-quality care no matter the conditions or time constraints. I have strong interpersonal skills and work with a very diverse group of patients and staff. I pride myself in my leadership ability. As a Critical Care RN I developed countless skills including my clinical acumen and critical-thinking, basically how to "get things done" in a busy hospital setting. As an ICU NP, I have reached the pinnacle of my practice working in a very busy Cardiac Surgery ICU with a high degree of autonomy including invasive procedures and minimal oversight on overnight shifts. 

My patient population spans post-op routine coronary bypass and valve repair/replacement, to minimally invasive robotic procedures, as well as both planned and emergent complex aortic surgery. I have been a part of very busy shock teams comprised of the CVICU, Cardiac Surgery and Advanced heart failure team, utilizing Mechanical Circulatory Support, Heart/Lung Transplantation, and intricate medical management to support and treat patients in acute shock. I have also supported patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) with Venovenous ECMO, in conjunction with our Pulmonary/Critical Care team.  

I am dedicated to working with every aspect of my CVICU and Cardiac Surgery teams. I think of them as family. I continue to strive to improve our day-to-day, as well as look on to big picture improvements. I find that the ability to create positive change is essential in finding job fulfillment. I am always looking to further my education and training. I am open to taking on challenging projects and new opportunities.

I am excited to begin working with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA with their Cardiothoracic Surgical ICU in March 2023! 

I am currently working towards a Doctorate of Nursing Practice program. I would like to spend some time focusing on Advanced Practice Providers(APPs) that perform invasive procedures, ultrasound-guided procedures, and point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and bedside echocardiography. I want to investigate the current level of comfort and competency, barriers to furthering education and making this knowledge-base and technical ability standard for APPs that work in these settings. I believe this could impact patient outcomes tremendously and open up a great resource.