The most significant life experiences that have influenced my interest in nursing revolve around family. Both my mother and aunt exemplified a passion for nursing that extended beyond their work in the hospital to my schools, our neighborhood and the community. Another family experience that influenced my interest in nursing was my grandmother’s struggle with post-polio syndrome. When my grandmother was too weak to leave her bed, my mother never hesitated to stop by after a long day at work to help my grandmother with bathing and other care needs.

Born and raised in sunny Ventura on the southern coast of California, I have always had an interest in medicine and a profound love for animals. I received my Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with the pursuit of becoming a veterinarian, but it ended up not being the career for me.