I am a practicing pediatric oncologist at an academic medical center currently overseeing outpatient and inpatient clinical operations.
My research was on healthcare utilization of children with cancer and caregiver experience.
I am a life & career coach for healthcare professionals to help them
find joy and purpose!
I grew up in West Chicago, IL and headed to University of Florida for my undergraduate degree in Anthropology. I returned to Chicago for medical school at Rush University Medical College then remained local for Pediatric Residency at Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL. I completed dual fellowships in Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Pediatric Health Services Research at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.
In 2014, I joined Indiana University and held dual roles in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Comparative Effectiveness Research. After lots of effort, I obtained an NIH NCI career development award to grow my knowledge about mHealth research and co-design and create an mHealth app to support caregivers in the medical management of their child with cancer. Specifically, the app is designed to help with symptom tracking, medication reminders, and emergency planning. The experience has helped me understand the importance of user-centered design and involving end users throughout the entire process. A PCORI grant helped me collaborate directly with caregivers of children with cancer and a wide range of healthcare professionals to identify the most important interventions desired by caregivers during the transition from hospital to home for children with cancer.
Since July 2018, I have served as the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Inpatient Unit Medical Director. The bridging of research with quality improvement has helped me navigate challenges and foster multi-disciplinary approaches to improving clinical care and team work. My operations role expanded to the outpatient clinical space where I was able to help bridge the gaps in our transitions process.
Clinically, I am a member of our Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma team and participate in clinical care both inpatient and outpatient.
In my personal time, I am the mother of a feisty and fearless daughter and wife to a hobby car enthusiast. My creative outlets are through watercolor painting and macrame.
As a teamleader, I found myself lacking a skill to help support and nurture the growth of my colleagues. As a coach, I will partner with healthcare professionals to identify their own goals, assess the pathway to achieving success, and support the twists and turns it takes to get to find their joy and purpose in work.