For more than 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in healthcare. I started as a CNA and worked my way to becoming a registered nurse, gaining experience in long-term care, oncology, Neonatal ICU, Surgical/Trauma ICU, Emergency Department, Flight Nursing, and Urgent Care. I’ve been certified in Emergency Nursing for 12 years and recently became Board Certified as a Functional Medicine Practitioner.

When I entered perimenopause, I found myself struggling with changes in my body that I didn’t understand. I knew I didn’t feel like myself, yet I was told by two healthcare providers that it was simply part of getting older. That wasn’t the way I wanted to approach aging, so I started searching for answers. I read, researched, listened to podcasts, and began learning about the connections between hormones, metabolism, nutrition, gut health, sleep, and stress.

That experience ultimately led me to create First Step Wellness.

As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how healthcare often focuses on treating disease after it develops rather than focusing on prevention and the small changes that can make a big difference. I also know how overwhelming it can be to understand all of the health information available to us and figure out what actually applies to you.

My goal isn’t perfection—it’s sustainable progress.

I want to help people better understand their bodies, make informed decisions, and find realistic changes that fit their lives. I believe wellness looks different for each person, and meaningful change doesn’t require perfection.

Through First Step Wellness, I hope to provide education, guidance, encouragement, and support—without judgment and without the pressure to do it all at once.

Sometimes, you just need to know where to start. That’s where I come in.