SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

Since graduating from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing 12 years ago, I have worked in private practice specializing in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. I work in both the outpatient and inpatient settings caring for patients across a wide spectrum of illnesses and diseases. I currently reside and practice in the Orlando, Florida, area. Through practice, my research interest has grown out of recognizing the progressive functional decline in the chronic lung disease population which leads to frequent hospital admissions, increased morbidity and mortality, and loss of quality of life. I am investigating ways to reduce COPD hospital readmissions, particularly through pulmonary rehabilitation. I returned to Vanderbilt for doctoral study after completing my masters degree there in 2002 for the opportunity to work with leading nurse researchers who foster an environment of mentorship in a resource-rich academic setting.