Having 34 years of surgical and critical care experience as a nurse, my goal of becoming an APN five years ago was to manage perioperative patients with an emphasis on continuity of care in a clinical and hospital environment. I graduated from UIC in 2002 with a Masters in Nursing and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Initially, I worked with Dr. Van Howard, Pain Management, providing consultations in the clinics and hospitals, as well as assisting with procedures. In May 2003, I was given the opportunity to fulfill my goal of providing perioperative management for bariatric, thoracic, general, and vascular patients with Peoria Surgical Group. I worked specifically with Drs. Stephen Marshall, Samir Gupta and Richard Anderson. I was the first APN in Peoria to be credentialed at all three Peoria hospitals and the OSF Center for Health.

In September 2007, I accepted a position with the Associated University Neurosurgeons (AUN) working with Dr. Daniel Fassett. Dr. Fassett’s specialties are spinal disorders, spinal oncology, and complex spinal deformities. My previous experiences as a nurse in the OR were working in orthopedic and neurosurgery, with special interest in the spine.

Certifications:

• APN (Advanced Practice Nurse)

• ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)

• CNOR (Certified Nurse of the Operating Room)

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)

• ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support)