I grew up in Benicia and during high school, I was fascinated with science and physiology. At 16, I was able to watch my cousin’s birth and I knew then, that pregnancy and birth was something I wanted to learn more about.

 

I attended the University of California, Davis with a major in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior.  During that time I took a direct-entry midwifery course with a licensed midwife. Although I desired to give holistic care, my strong science background lead me to desire a deeper foundation through education. For that reason, I pursued a Bachelor Degree in Nursing at the University of Arizona. While I chose all of my elective rotations in labor and delivery and enjoyed them immensely, I spent some time in the Emergency Room and was hooked- the frenzied pace, the critical care aspect of patient care and the advanced skill set.

 

Thinking I would start in the ER for a year, then move on to midwifery, I went from Tucson Medical Center, to Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, then finally to John Muir in Walnut Creek. For over 17 years, I have thrived as an Emergency Room/Trauma Nurse. From charge nursing for 9 years, Hazmat Training, certification as a pediatric emergency nurse, teaching emergency pediatric care, Mobile Intensive Care Nursing, and all the certifications I could acquire, I loved ER nursing and guiding the care of my patients through their most vulnerable and often times traumatic moments.

           

The underlying burning passion for pregnancy and birth, however, never left. When my own pregnancy turned high risk, I realized the importance of compassionate care with providers who listened, who honored, who prioritized my needs along with the safety of myself and my baby. 

 

With that backdrop and with the support of my family, my daughter, Ayla, and my John Muir family of 15 years, I pursued my Master’s Degree at Frontier Nursing University to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. I aim to provide compassionate, evidence based care; I enjoy teaching my families, with special interest in safe, low-intervention birth and intrapartum mental health.  I feel blessed to have joined this renowned practice and look forward to sharing in the journey of parenthood and pregnancy with my patients. 

 

In my free time, I love traveling or doing crafts with my daughter, camping, hiking, yoga, kayaking, playing with my German Shepard, Athena, two cats and a snake…and maybe someday, I’ll write that novel I planned out years ago!