From Bedside Nurse to Psychiatric Expert
My journey in healthcare began in 1994 when I started as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Virginia. From the very first day, I knew I had found my calling — to be present for people during their most vulnerable moments and to make a real difference in their lives.
In 1996, I advanced to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), deepening my clinical skills across a remarkable range of settings: nursing homes, correctional facilities, HIV counseling centers, infectious disease units, crisis management teams, home health agencies, and psychosis units. Each experience shaped my understanding of the human condition and the complex intersection of medical, mental, and social health.
After years of watching patients receive fragmented care — a prescription here, a referral there — I made a decision: I would specialize in psychiatric nursing and build a practice that treated the whole person. That decision led me to earn my Board Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC).
Victory Village Mental Health & Wellness was born from that journey. I named it "Victory Village" because I believe healing is a communal act — every person who walks through our doors deserves to find their own victory, and we celebrate every milestone together.
Today, I bring all 30+ years of that experience to every patient I see. No rushing. No one-size-fits-all solutions. Just honest, thorough, compassionate care — the kind I would want for my own family.