I began my CRNA career at VUMC in June 2017, working in the adult multi-specialty anesthesia division. After gaining invaluable experience caring for adult patients, I then expanded my area of practice in the ambulatory division, providing anesthesia care at our outpatient centers. Most recently, on a full-time basis, I have begun providing anesthesia care for pediatric patients in the OR at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. I am grateful for the wonderful opportunities I have received to provide care to a wide acuity of patients across all ages and divisions within our collective CRNA group. In the days ahead, I am looking forward to the knowledge and experience I will gain in my current role as a full-time pediatric CRNA.
The political landscape relative to CRNA practice is a dynamic one, as CRNAs continually advocate for maintenance and expansion of scope of practice rights on the national, state-specific, regional, and facility-specific stages. These challenges present opportunities for CRNAs to perpetually educate lawmakers, as well as the general public, concerning the highly competent, patient-centered, cost-effective care that CRNAs provide. As a profession, nurse anesthetists are well respected. As we continue to advocate for CRNAs and their practice, locally to nationally, we are presented with the opportunity to leverage our voices together to continue to grow our wonderful profession.
Additionally, the wake of tragedy and exhaustion owed the pandemic has left no one untouched; CRNAs included. I think that job burnout is another challenge faced by CRNAs and healthcare workers, collectively. However, as we are hopefully transitioning out of the worst days of the pandemic, CRNAs are presented with a fresh opportunity in the days ahead to serve patients and continue providing them with excellent care. Considering this, I believe CRNAs should seize opportunities for self-care, so that, in turn, they may then by the best clinicians for those patients entrusted to their care.
Professionally, I am most proud of the opportunities I have been provided to care for a wide variety of patients. My time at VUMC has afforded me to grow professionally, as I have advanced my skill set through a wealth of clinical experiences. I am also proud of the opportunity I had to be a full-time assistant professor in the higher education setting, teaching Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists to become future CRNAs, both didactically and clinically. This was a challenging, yet extremely rewarding experience as I was able to make a positive impact on many students’ lives by helping them to achieve their dream of becoming CRNAs. I am also proud that this opportunity afforded me the opportunity to give back to the CRNA profession as a whole — a career and profession that has given me so much. In the future, I am looking forward to taking on further opportunities within VUMC that enable me to use my leadership abilities and CRNA skills to continue to grow in my practice and facilitate the continued success and growth of the CRNA department and VUMC. I believe LEAP! is an excellent foundation for this and I am grateful to be a member of the 2022 LEAP! class.
I currently live in The Nations area of Nashville with my 10-year-old chocolate lab, Sam. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time participating in outdoor activities and working out. I am always ready and willing to travel and love hanging out with friends and trying new restaurants. Additionally, I love working to perfect my mixology skills by creating cocktails for myself and friends.