Faculty & Staff Profiles

When I was a young cancer nurse, people often asked, "Isn't that depressing work?" My simple answer back to them was, "Absolutely not!" I was blessed beyond words to enter my healthcare career in the field of inpatient oncology. I learned about courage, dignity, and the importance of hope and innovation. My roots and commitment to patient care grew and flourished under the guidance and mentorship of many world-class clinicians and administrators. Each year, my resolve strengthened, my wisdom grew, and I saw how leadership and expertise in healthcare administration not only smoothed operations and balanced budgets but also improved patient care and outcomes. My roles as a clinical research and healthcare executive gave me great purpose, fueling my investment and desire to partner with organizations that create, innovate, embrace diversity and equality, and excel for excellence in clinical care. I am dedicated to creating a better and more just healthcare system by educating, supporting, and challenging the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

My research interests are motivated by practical concerns. They include understanding and improving healthcare operations, communication, equity, and resilience. In addition to my healthcare interests, I am also interested in how innovative learning techniques such as augmented reality, virtual reality, simulation, and serious gaming can influence the next generation of healthcare leaders and practitioners. Pedagogically speaking, digital, experiential learning environments solve significant instructional challenges and may lead to a more just, democratized system of learning. These technologies may also offer a more cost-effective and accessible mechanism for deliberate practice, mastery of procedural skills, and an ideal environment for low-risk, complex decision-making.

I'm looking to disturb and disrupt the status quo, exposing opportunities for critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, equality, and partnerships that lead us to a more engaging and supportive learning environment, a reduction of barriers, and increased experiential learning opportunities. To me, education (and health care!) are basic human rights and should be accessible to all. I believe Loyola and the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health share the same commitment. I have a passion for quality, embrace the study of humanities AND sciences, and feel compelled to raise questions and uphold ethical frameworks. I believe in the importance of religion and the spiritual perspective it can provide, and finally, I am committed to a person-centered approach to education. I want to interact with my students and give as much personal attention as possible. Loyola and Parkinson support my purpose and beliefs my attempt to be a leader in the service of all.