Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Wisconsin Lutheran College

• Master of Science in Nursing: Adult/Older Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, Marquette University

• Doctor of Nursing Practice, Marquette University

Background

For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a nurse or a teacher. Nursing quickly became my passion and my career path. For the past seven years, I have had the blessing of caring for oncology patients. Never did I imagine that God would lead me in a direction where I now have the blessing of doing both nursing and teaching! God truly works in mysterious ways. 

As an alumnus of the WLC nursing program, I developed a love for the complexity of healthcare and the unique personal experience every patient has across the care continuum. During my nursing career, I have always interacted with the oncology population. I have split my time between clinical and acute care settings, both inpatient and outpatient, ambulatory treatment centers, and most recently our new 24-hour cancer clinic, which is an urgent care specifically for the oncology population. I love working with oncology patients. It is not every day you have the chance to go to work and try and make someone’s day better. Additionally it is not every day you are situated as a tool for HIS purpose during what may be someone’s very worst day. It’s a blessing to serve such a strong group during their cancer journeys.

During my time at Froedtert, I also served as chair for several of our organizational committees including the infusion committee, the innovation committee, the development council, and coordinating council. I also participated in the research and quality councils.  It was my involvement in these organizations that solidified my love for evidence based practice and nursing research.

I started my career at WLC as an adjunct professor in 2018. I accepted the full-time call as assistant professor in June of 2020. I love working with students and watching them grow from timid and nervous early students to well-prepared seniors ready to take on the world. It is very special to be part of something where you know they are going out to do the thing you love. Not only that, but they are going out with hearts full of service and love for their Savior. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for each of these students and am blessed to be a part of this mission.

I live in Milwaukee with my husband AJ (also an alumnus of WLC), our daughter, Ayla, and our furry child (rescue puppy) Madam Curie (Curie for short). We are members of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Brookfield. When I am not working I love being with family, playing piano, and when I get the chance, welding. 

Teaching

• Evidence Based Practice

• Adult Health Practicum 1&2

Research Interests

• Process Improvement

• Evidence Based Practice

• Febrile Neutropenia

• Nurse Driven Protocols

• Telehealth

• Oncology Care

Scholarly Works

Nurse Driven Protocol for the Care and Treatment of Febrile Neutropenia

Podium Presenter at Oncology Nursing Society National Congress, 2020

Building Bridges Poster Showcase Presenter, 2019

Evidence Based Practice Award Recipient, 2020

Primary Investigator: Oncologic Urgent Care Admission Workflow: Quality Improvement

Communication Strategies and Triage for Network-wide Ambulatory Oncology Centers: Quality Improvement 

Transforming Care at the Bedside: Implementation of Interdisciplinary Huddles and its Effects on Community of Care: Poster Presentation, 2016

Certifications

• Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certified

• Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified