NAU Directory

I have worked and served as a nurse in many different capacities over the last 40 plus years.

I worked as an LPN in the hospital in every department that an LPN could work…which leaves out nursery, labor and delivery and the emergency room. I then went back to school as an adult learner, became an RN and worked for many years in long term care- becoming very fond of working with the geriatric population. I took care of patients that received Hospice and Palliative care over the years, and it has been very rewarding for me. I enjoyed leadership positions such as director of nursing, assistant director of nursing and Inservice coordinator within long term care and skilled nursing facilities.

Then I switched gears and worked as a high-risk case manager for United Health Group (UHG). This position enabled me to help patients over the phone in a virtual environment. I enjoyed the technology and informatics aspect of this role because I quickly became accustomed to self-motivation and self-driven work through the use of computer and telehealth capabilities. I eventually became an associate director with United Health Group (UHG) guiding my staff to support Medicaid and Commercial members with their healthcare needs- all virtually. It was a fabulous experience. During my work as an associate director at UHG I was able to hire phenomenal employees such as RNs, Social Workers, Community Health Workers and Admin support. I was also able to oversee operations that required specific metric goals and healthcare objectives. My experience in various leadership roles over the years has helped me be a better leader and manager.

I also value living the culture of an organization. At UHG, we followed the values of Integrity, Compassion, Relationships, Innovation and Performance. And I took them very seriously. I was a Culture Ambassador at UHG. At NAU, my goal is to consistently place my student success at the forefront of all of my academic actions and service deeds.

Academically, along with teaching part-time since 2018 at NAU, I have taught nursing students at Lansing Community College in Michigan and University of Phoenix in the classroom (Phoenix, AZ).

Professional Activities: I am a member of the Arizona- American Nurses Association, and I served on the Northern AZ Chapter as Director at Large for Education, currenlty serving as Secretary (Spring 2022); the National League for Nursing and the AACN, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. I am a CPR Instructor for NAH (Northern Arizona Healthcare) and a Red Cross Volunteer. I regularly deliver youth presentations within Coconino County.