SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

I am currently enrolled in the Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing PhD program. My dissertation will focus on those women who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and how emotions influence their illness perception and ability to engage in their self-care behaviors. My proposed dissertation may help to increase the understanding and knowledge that emotional responses and personality (e.g. Type D) may have on self-care behaviors for CVD risk reduction. The goal of my proposed research is to help prevent disease progression in women with chronic heart disease, which will help improve overall disease outcomes and reduce health care costs in this population. CVD is my primary clinical area of interest. I received my ACNP and MSN degree from Loyola University of Chicago. I obtained my BSN from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. I am an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Saint Xavier University teaching medical surgical nursing at the graduate and undergraduate level. Nursing positions I have held are charge nurse, clinical preceptor, critical care educator, cardiology clinical nurse specialist, and cardiology nurse practitioner. I have practiced as a cardiology nurse practitioner for over thirteen years caring for individuals with CVD in the hospital/clinic setting. I have presented at the National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Exposition and provide community presentations on CVD health promotion. The awards I have received are the Illinois Board of Higher Education Nurse Faculty Fellowship Award, the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship finalist candidate, and Midwest Nursing Research Society moderator.