After struggling the first two years of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 26, I learned the importance of patient education and gaining a better understanding of my health and how my actions could help to decrease my days of overwhelming pain. I decided to turn my experience into my mission to help others learn the tools to survive and thrive despite a diagnosis. As both an occupational therapist and a patient, I'm able to guide others on a path to wellness utilizing my adaptive OT skills and personal experience.

With many years of navigating and trying to access the health care system, I gained a passion for advocacy. In utilizing my personal experience and sharing my stories with policymakers to make change and help pass laws, I have turned toward working with other patient advocates and community organizations to develop grassroots advocacy efforts and mobilize patient voices. With a background in journalism & communications, marketing, strategic content planning and development , I am uniquely positioned to support all aspects of project management.