Being a teenaged mother, I learned early on how to navigate life and build resilience in the face of adversity. Determined to not let my circumstances define who I was or who I would become, I made the decision to continue my high school education at the college preparatory school I was attending and move forward with my plan to attend college following graduation. Initially entering undergrad as a pre-pharmacy major, it only took one summer internship at a retail pharmacy for me to realize that this was not my path and I desired more direct patient care. With psychology, sociology, and human growth and development being some of my favorite courses at the time, I became increasingly intrigued with how the brain, mind and body are connected. With the realization that pharmacy may not be the right fit for me, I did some research to see if there was anything out there that would lead me to a career where I could incorporate my strong desire to help others with my interest in medications and mental health and I came across a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. At this time, I made the decision to change my major to pre-nursing.

 

Out of a class of over 100 students in my undergraduate nursing program, I was the only person interested in mental health nursing at the time. I loved my mental health clinical rotation at Lansing Correctional Facility, and this confirmed for me that the field of mental health is where I needed to be. My time as a registered nurse was spent working in a variety of psychiatric settings including, child and adolescent acute inpatient care, adult inpatient acute care for mental health and substance detoxification, and in a behavioral health urgent care clinic. While working as an RN, the shortage of mental health professionals was apparent. What was even more apparent to me was that there was a shortage of minority mental health providers as well as a shortage of providers who provide pediatric mental health services. With an advanced practice degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing being the goal, I returned to school and obtained a Master of Science in Nursing on the PMHNP program track in December 2022. As a PMHNP, I have been working in an outpatient private practice, where I treat patients aged 5-50 years old.

 

Although I work with people from various backgrounds and walks of life, I have a profound passion for working with the underserved child and adolescent population as well as with minority college students and young professionals. I pride myself on providing culturally competent care. I enjoy working with patients who are taking the first steps into their mental health journey, those who have grown up in communities where mental health has been stigmatized, and also those who have not had a pleasant experience in their journey thus far and have felt "dismissed" by previous providers. My approach to treatment is holistic, meaning I consider the physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of each client. I am dedicated to being a resource for those of marginalized communities as an effort to help break barriers to access to quality mental health care and to destigmatize mental health in minority communities. 

 

When I am not working, I have three children to keep me very busy and entertained. I enjoy date nights with my husband, spending time with close friends and family, reading, Pinterest surfing, and spending the occasional weekend binge-watching a series...or two! I am also a big fan of creating new memories with my family through travel!