Job Position and Professional Responsibilities:

I have been in the Nephrology world for 17 years.  My career started in Indiana as a floor nurse at a chronic incenter unit. In 2012, I moved to Alaska to work as a PD/HHD nurse. Having the opportunity to travel all over the state educating/training patients living remotely to perform their own life saving treatments was truly life changing.  This geared my passion for education which led me to my current role of Education manager. I now have the honor to educate future nephrology professionals and pass on my love of all things related to kidneys. 

Describe your qualifications for this role, and include past ANNA leadership positions:

I have served on the ANNA Conferences Committee for the past three years. Presented in a general session at the Spring 2024 ANNA National Symposium as well as a concurrent session at the Fall 2023 ANNA Leadership Conference. I attended and participated in the 2025 ANNA Heath Policy Advocacy Forum in Washington DC, being the first nephrology nurse to represent Alaska in over a decade.  I presented at the Renal Education Symposium hosted by the Alaska Kidney Patients Association. Active in my ANNA chapter #503 as exemplified by grants that allowed me to attend chapter conferences and participate in the health advocacy Forum.  I helped to create a unified onboarding orientation day for new employees working in FMC and USRC JV clinics.      

Describe your role in three ANNA projects/activities which support(ed) ANNA’s mission, goals, and objectives:

Represented Alaska at the 2025 ANNA Health Advocacy Forum, meeting with staffers for Alaska Senators; Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Nick Begich to advocate for the four bills that can advance the care of patients, families and nurses in nephrology

Served on the Conference Committee for the last three years, helping to plan National Symposiums as well as Fall Summits.  I have secured a patient advocate, a nurse practitioner and social workers to come and speak at multiple events to help promote Alaska and its healthcare disparities and challenges. I am currently in the process of re-establishing the Alaska ANNA chapter in collaboration with the ANNA Intermountain chapter in Utah.