I am blessed to be a new team member at Carolinas Pain Institute! I have worked in the field of nursing for 30 years as a nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse manager, and nurse researcher in North Carolina. I previously worked as a nurse practitioner at a Level I trauma center and academic medical center, caring for inpatients with pain and/or substance use disorders. This transition to outpatient pain management is exciting for me!

I received my BSN from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1996 and my MSN as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998. I received my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Duke University in 2025. I am currently completing a postgraduate certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Duke University and will graduate in May 2027. I am a lifelong learner! I love cooking, gardening, photography, and being entertained by my daughter's three German Shepherds. There is never a dull moment at my house!

I am a peer reviewer and editorial board member for the Pain Management Nursing journal and a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Society for Pain Management Nursing, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. These memberships keep me connected to colleagues around the world. I look forward to rejoining the Pain Society of the Carolinas!

I have a passion for nursing education, and I am an online adjunct nursing faculty member at South College in Knoxville, Tennessee, and a Consulting Associate at Duke University School of Nursing in Durham, North Carolina. I enjoy working with students beginning their nursing journey!

I am very interested in pain management research and have worked on NIH-funded studies, including the SKOAP and BACPAC trials. Carolinas Pain Institute is renowned for its commitment to research, and I am proud to be part of the team.

My Philosophy of Care

I believe every patient deserves to be heard and treated with compassion, respect, and evidence-based care. My goal is to work collaboratively with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses pain while supporting overall health, function, and quality of life.

Clinical Interests

My clinical interests include comprehensive pain management, chronic pain, acute pain, pain related to complex medical conditions, substance use disorders, patient education, and evidence-based treatment planning. I am committed to helping patients find meaningful pain relief while improving their overall function and quality of life.

Conditions Commonly Managed

• Chronic pain
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Neuropathic pain
• Joint pain
• Cancer-related pain
• Complex pain syndromes
• Pain associated with substance use disorders

Board Certification

I am board certified in Pain Management Nursing (PMGT-BC) and hold advanced practice certification as a Nurse Practitioner (APRN). My education and certifications reflect my commitment to delivering compassionate, evidence-based pain management care.

Research Experience

My involvement in NIH-funded clinical research, including the SKOAP and BACPAC trials, has strengthened my commitment to evidence-based medicine and advancing the field of pain management through research and innovation.

Professional Memberships

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• American Society for Pain Management Nursing
• American Society of Addiction Medicine
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
• Pain Society of the Carolinas

I look forward to working with you and partnering with you on your journey toward better pain management, improved function, and a higher quality of life.