My current role at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner for the inpatient Advanced Lung Disease Service (ALDS) where I also hold the role of Team Lead. In this role, I provide comprehensive care for patients with end-stage lung disease, particularly those undergoing lung transplantation, severe pulmonary hypertension, and end-stage COPD patients undergoing bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). In addition to my role on ALDS, I serve as a preceptor[BBA1] for nurse practitioner students and as a nursing clinical instructor for VUSN.
The Advanced Lung Disease Service was established as a primary team in 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was privileged to be an inaugural member of the team and have witnessed the significant increase in lung transplants at VUMC, more than doubling to a record 95 transplants in 2023. In response, there was a rapid expansion of staff in both the transplant program and the inpatient APP team, increasing from 6 to 12 members. This expansion created opportunities to develop best practice guidelines for optimal patient care, as well as to address the physical demands of growth, such as increased need for operating room space, inpatient beds, and specialized nursing care for these complex patients. Collaboration with our clinical pharmacists has equipped both our APPs and nurses to adeptly manage complex transplant and pulmonary hypertension medications, thereby enhancing patient safety and outcomes. Additionally, our close collaboration with the outpatient lung transplant team ensures seamless continuity of care from inpatient to outpatient settings and vice versa.
Navigating advanced practice has been a humbling experience. While I initially felt confident in my ability to provide excellent patient care as a bedside nurse, transitioning to an APP role within this team has revealed vast opportunities for professional growth. I take pride in developing the “ALDS Handbook for Transplant,” a comprehensive providers' guide to lung transplant, aimed at supporting both current and new APPs and fellows in caring for this complex patient population.
In 2023, I assumed the APP Team Lead role for ALDS. This role has opened new avenues for my professional growth and networking,
Recently, I was honored to be elected as the Nursing and Allied Health representative for the Advanced Lung Failure and Transplant Steering Committee at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT). In this role, I am committed to driving projects and content that enhance the experience of ISHLT members, ensuring comprehensive representation for nursing and allied health specialists.
Outside of work, I reside in Nashville with my husband, Matt, a physician assistant with Optimize U - Nashville. In my free time, I cherish being a dog-mom and enjoy activities such as yoga, boating, travel, and exploring Nashville's vibrant culinary scene.