In my role as a nurse-midwife, I provide comprehensive care to women in two clinical settings: Vanderbilt Midwives Melrose and the Vanderbilt Birth Center.
While I attend births at VUMC only, I provide well-woman and pregnancy-related care at both sites, serving patients who are either too high risk for out-of-hospital birth at the Birth Center or who have chosen to give birth in a hospital setting. I also use my FNP background at the Melrose clinic to provide primary care to women. I especially love working with teens and women with mood disorders. I am passionate about thorough patient education, informed decision making, and putting patients at the head of their healthcare team. I strive to teach these core tenants of midwifery care to the nursing and medical students I work with as a clinical preceptor and in my role as the Shade Tree Early Pregnancy Program (STEPP) faculty advisor.
My world was totally rocked in March 2020 (whose wasn't?!) when I was asked to supervise the VUMC COVID-19 Hotline. We quickly put a team in place, created a workflow and charting template, and established protocols that we have been updating ever since! It has been a rewarding whirlwind to work remotely, yet closely, with the many hotline nurses and providers during such uncertain times.
When I am not working, you can find me doing home improvement projects with my fiance Lee as we settle into our new home together. We have two dogs and a cat that keep us busy and very happy! If we aren't at home, we are relaxing on the river in Rock Island, TN where we try to escape the day-to-day bustle and wedding planning!