From Student to Educator—A Full-Circle Journey at USF

My journey with the University of San Francisco has truly come full circle. I first arrived at USF as a graduate student pursuing my DNP and MPH, searching for more than advanced clinical knowledge—I was searching for purpose.

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What I discovered was a community that challenged me to look beyond individual patient encounters and embrace nursing as a powerful force for health equity, leadership, and systemic change. Today, the Jesuit values of cura personalis and dedication to service continue to serve as the bedrock for how I teach, lead, and approach my scholarly work. 

Following graduation, my career spanned clinical practice, research operations, and healthcare leadership—working across oncology, quality improvement, and AI-enabled healthcare innovation. Yet, returning to USF as a faculty member feels like coming home. It offers a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community that shaped my professional identity while preparing the next generation of nurse leaders to act with both compassion and curiosity. 

My doctoral work on perinatal health and my own postpartum journey ignited my research passion for perinatal mental health and continues to drive my commitment to improving maternal and family care."

On Research Inspiration

Interestingly, I didn't start out planning to become an educator. My calling naturally emerged through mentoring nurses and students across my clinical leadership roles. Over time, I realized that my greatest fulfillment came not just from solving complex problems myself, but from empowering others with the confidence and tools to solve them independently. Watching students experience that "aha!" moment—realizing their own capability to think critically and lead transformation—remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. 

My approach to teaching is inspired by the ancient Chinese proverb, 水涨船高 ("As the water rises, so does the boat"). Education is a collective journey; we all grow higher by lifting one another. In the classroom, I strive to pair rigorous clinical standards with empathetic mentorship, cultivating not only technical skill but also resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to health equity. Whether analyzing evidence-based practices or exploring emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, my objective is to mentor clinicians who ask sharper questions, evaluate deeply, and lead responsibly. 

I am a mom to two energetic young boys who keep me grounded and constantly on my toes!" 

On Life Outside the Classroom

Looking ahead, I am eager to continue advancing innovation in nursing education. I am particularly passionate about integrating AI into clinical learning frameworks thoughtfully—ensuring technology serves to enhance, rather than replace, the essential human connection at the heart of caregiving.