Duke Health

Pursuing a career in dietetics was the convergence of my interests as a student, including human nutrition, psychology, and biology - learning that I could combine these interests and become a registered dietitian seemed too good to be true. I recognize that healthy looks different for everyone and I use a collaborative approach with my patients to help them make informed decisions to support their health goals. I believe that each person is the expert of their own body, and every person deserves to have a peaceful relationship with food. My special interests include blood sugar management, supporting healthy relationships with food and body, sports nutrition, and women’s health. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, being outside, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing with my two dogs and two cats.

Pursuing a career in dietetics was the convergence of my interests as a student, including human nutrition, psychology, and biology - learning that I could combine these interests and become a registered dietitian seemed too good to be true. I recognize that healthy looks different for everyone and I use a collaborative approach with my patients to help them make informed decisions to support their health goals. I believe that each person is the expert of their own body, and every person deserves to have a peaceful relationship with food. My special interests include blood sugar management, supporting healthy relationships with food and body, sports nutrition, and womens health. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, being outside, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing with my two dogs and two cats.

I chose to become a nurse practitioner after working as a registered nurse in critical care for many years. I wanted to be more influential in prevention after caring for patients who had poorly managed chronic diseases, which had become debilitating and life-threatening. I also wanted to be able to provide healthcare to well patients. In my approach to patient care, I believe establishing a trusting relationship comes first. It is so important to be a healthcare provider that a patient genuinely feels they can count on and trust. I believe once this is established, the patient is empowered to take charge of their personal health knowing that they are supported and have a healthcare provider they can rely on. Patients come to us with basic expectations to receive safe and effective healthcare. By taking the time to get to know a patient and genuinely listen to their worries, concerns, accomplishments and successes further enhances the patient-provider relationship. This relationship is to promote or restore health and well-being to its highest potential and should be at the core of patient care. My clinical interests include chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, acute illnesses, anxiety and depression, and health promotion interventions that improve patients quality of life. Outside of work, I absolutely love spending time with my husband and four children. I enjoy international travel, good food and long outdoor runs.