SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

I attended George Mason University for undergraduate studies in both Nursing and Psychology. I am attending George Washington University in order to achieve my Master’s degree and Doctorate in Nursing, with a specialty in family practice. My experience in Nursing includes working with individuals suffering from neurological conditions, specifically stroke, brain tumors, spinal cord surgeries, Alzheimer’s/dementia, and drug withdrawal, among other conditions. While my background rests in the hospital setting, my passion is for preventative healthcare in the community setting. I performed research as an undergraduate, providing motivational interviewing to elderly patients, in order to encourage self-efficacy in management of chronic conditions. I was awarded funding for this research through the George Mason Undergraduate Research Scholars Program and received the Sigma Theta Tau Kitty Parker Smith Leadership Award for my work. My current interests lie in assisting caregivers in planning for long-term management of Alzheimer’s and dementia, particularly as the population of elderly increases in the U.S. I am interested in providing education to community members related to management of chronic conditions (obesity, diabetes, hypertension) and the prevention of related complications (stroke). I currently work as a staff nurse, participating in roles as charge nurse and preceptor on a neurological unit. I serve the community by teaching D.C. Emergency Medical Services about recognizing stroke in the community. I am an avid supporter of Nursing Research and serve as leader the Nursing Evidence-Based Practice and Research Council at my hospital.