Biography

I have been a nurse since 1979, and my background is in community health and outreach, behavioral health, underserved populations, women's health, teaching, and research. I hold a PhD in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and I have been a professor of nursing for over 20 years. I have had an active research career, most recently as co-PI on an R-21 research grant, Inflammatory Conditions in Women Who Have Been Victims of Intimate Partner Violence, funded by the NIH in the amount of $450,000. I also have been a Family Nurse Practitioner since 1998, and my practice specialties are healthy weight and lifestyle, the mind-body continuum, digestive health, and forensic examination of children who have been physically or sexually abused. My current research interests include the impact of spirituality in health care and Photovoice as a qualitative method of inquiry. I live in the beautiful Ohio Valley, and I love yoga, meditation, daily exercise, and spending time with my son, daughter, and new grandson.