My path into healthcare began long before I entered the nursing profession. I first served in the United States Army as a Combat Medic Specialist, working in high-pressure environments where decisions often carried life-or-death consequences. These experiences shaped my approach to patient care in profound ways. The Army instilled in me the discipline to think clearly under extreme stress, the moral responsibility to act decisively, and the humility to recognize how fragile and valuable human life truly is.

During this period, I discovered my calling in psychiatric care. I saw firsthand how trauma, stress, and the weight of personal experiences can manifest in ways that go far beyond physical wounds. This realization propelled me into nursing with a focus on mental health, setting the foundation for the work I continue to build today.

Over the years, I have served patients across a wide range of settings, including emergency departments, inpatient units, acute crisis environments, and specialized child and adolescent psychiatric services. I have had the privilege of working at institutions such as Baystate Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Arbour HRI Hospital, Arbour-Fuller Hospital, and Mount Auburn Hospital. In these roles, I conducted psychiatric assessments, supported medication management, participated in multidisciplinary treatment planning, and provided care for individuals of all ages navigating complex mental health needs. These experiences allowed me to witness the full spectrum of psychiatric presentations—from acute agitation and crisis states to long-term mood, behavioral, and trauma-related disorders.

Each clinical encounter reinforced my belief that mental health care must be tailored, thoughtful, and grounded in both science and humanity. Whether supporting a child overwhelmed by anxiety or an adult facing severe psychiatric distress, I have learned that healing requires listening deeply, responding with empathy, and creating a safe space where individuals feel heard and understood.