I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, and earned my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. I spent a decade in St. Paul, Minnesota, and earned my Master's degree in Social Work in 1994. I completed my clinical licensure in social work in 1998. I’ve worked primarily as a behavioral health clinician or social worker, in one capacity or another since graduating from college. Building community and empowering individuals and families are my greatest passions; both personally and professionally. I worked as a social worker in hospice for over eight years before coming to Kaiser Permanente. That rich background in geriatrics and end of life care serves me very well in my current role as a Clinician/Social Worker for the Geropsychiatry Program at Kaiser Permanente. I love working in geriatrics, and feel very grateful that I get to help seniors and their families every day when I come to work.I have a young son who is teaching me all about wonder, joy, living in the moment, humility, and patience. It is the greatest journey into the unknown that I have ever been on, and I strive to stay young at heart so that I can relish the ride as long as possible.