I began my nursing career in 1978. A long time ago. I have worked in hospital settings, home health care in various capacities, private duty, wellness education, hospice, and have owned two holistic well-being and healing practices.

In whatever capacity I served in as a nurse over the years, my passions have been to be an instrument of healing and compassion, to educate, advocate, and care for the whole person.

The art of nursing kept me in the field for over 4 decades. While the knowledge and practice of the science of nursing have been integral to the care of my patients and family members, the art of nursing has been the key to my happiness.

The art or ‘heart’ of nursing, which involves care of the whole person, including the emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and relationship aspects of being human, must be balanced with science-based care. Making a connection, and truly relating with the person is crucial.  All this is known to many as Holistic Nursing.  Many years ago, in my study of the holistic nursing curriculum, I realized I had always been a holistic nurse, except in the key area of self-care.

In 1994, I came face to face with this missing piece of being a holistic nurse when I led myself into a stress-induced illness. The experience was life changing.

I chose at the time to explore alternative and complementary therapies and take an honest look at how my choices had impacted the onset of my poor health. I realized that those choices had led to dis-ase on all levels of my being. Along with compromised physical health, I experienced accelerating anxiety and depression and was quite low spiritually.  I had dealt with anxiety since my teens, but this was the worst I had ever experienced. I decided it was critical I get the root cause of what led to the anxiety and what I could do to stop the cycle.

When someone is not feeling well, diagnosed with a disease, or injured, I see my role as caring for the person the disease has a hold of, rather than just focusing on the disease, disorder, illness, or injury. This quote by Hippocrates, the ‘father of medicine’, has guided my core practice of holistic nursing: ‘It is better to know the person who has a disease rather than the disease that has a hold of the person.’

I am an empathetic and compassionate listener. I become a healing presence and create a space in which the person can relax, and healing can occur. I can usually ease client and caregiver anxiety.

I always used caring touch to reduce anxiety and connect with my patients and was grateful to have the opportunity in December of 1994 to begin my study of the modality of Healing Touch and learn to use touch therapeutically.

My passion for advocacy includes my friends and family. Advocating for my husband during his extended illness and frequent hospitalizations utilized all my nursing knowledge and experience. I advocated for my mother for many years. I found myself asking the question, ‘how do people with no medical training advocate for themselves and their loved ones?’

I am passionate about educating caregivers, both personal and professional, in self-care. Caring for the caregiver is crucial. As I have served in both capacities, I understand the challenges.

My work is dedicated to the memory of my father and mother, my late husband, my grandchildren, and to all who are on the journey seeking optimal health and well-being, healing, and happiness.

I experience great satisfaction assisting others in accessing inner and outer resources to reach their highest healing potential

My approach is holistic, and multi-dimensional, with a focus on client goals. My role is to be alongside you, sharing my knowledge from training and experience, my insights, and my caring presence.