I have lived in the seacoast of New Hampshire since 1997 with my husband, and have now raised three children and three dogs. I fell in love with not only this picturesque area but the community of people. I have worked in Boston as a nurse for over 30 years at Tuft’s Medicine. When people ask me why I commute so far, I say the seacoast and its community are my happy place. 

I think advocating has always been a part of my life. I grew up helping to care for my youngest sister, who had Down’s Syndrome and congenital heart disease. Honestly, she was the one that led me to become a nurse. But now, as a seasoned nurse, I realize how much advocating for your patient can alter the outcome for the better.  After years of advocating for my patients and family members, I know the importance of having someone to help you navigate your illness, or your loved one’s, in our increasingly complex medical system. Advocating became dear to my heart when my husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, and, later on, Colon Cancer.  I also cared for my mother, who was diagnosed with COPD and was listed on the lung transplant list at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

These experiences not only taught me so much about the value of having a voice for your medical needs but left me feeling disheartened for all these patients and caregivers navigating this alone. A career in nursing has allowed me the unique opportunity to make an impact on others’ lives, but also well aware that not everyone has this advantage. Unfortunately, the experience can become extremely frustrating not only for patients themselves but also for their caretakers. Patients and caretakers often feel nervous and anxious, driven by fear and a lack of knowledge about how things work in the healthcare setting.

I love educating patients and families to empower them to make the right decisions for themselves. I believe the best outcome for the patient is when healthcare providers connect with their patients and fully understand their patient’s goals for treatment. I enjoy collaborating with the patient’s healthcare team and am passionate about listening to patients and families. As a nurse, I have learned that each patient is unique, and the care given to that patient must reflect that. As your Nurse Advocate, I work for you or your loved one and will be there for you on this journey.