My Story
I was born and grew up in York, Pennsylvania. My parents divorced when I was three, my brother and I were raised by our mother in a single‑parent household. She worked tirelessly often holding three jobs at once to ensure we had what we needed. Her days started before sunrise delivering newspapers, followed by full shifts at McDonald’s, and evenings spent at a part‑time job.
We didn’t have much. We relied on church food banks, WIC, food stamps, and state‑provided healthcare. Christmas gifts came from Salvation Army angel trees, and each school year our clothes were put on layaway so we could start the year with something new. My mother didn’t drive, so public transportation was our lifeline.
Despite the challenges, I never felt deprived. My mother’s resilience, resourcefulness, and unwavering love ensured that we were cared for—and that we understood the value of hard work, gratitude, and perseverance.
We would spend every other weekend with my father and stepmother who have 3 children together. When I was 11, my family experienced the devastating loss of my infant sister to SIDS. That tragedy shaped me deeply and strengthened my desire to serve others. By age 14, I was volunteering at our local hospital stuffing menus in admission folders, and dressing in character costumes for the auxiliary’s annual May Fair. My father volunteered with the fire department, and his example inspired me to become a junior firefighter at 16. I earned my firefighting certifications, became a volunteer firefighter, and later obtained my emergency medical certification.
I also started working early, when I was 12, I began delivering newspapers and my first "real" job was at McDonald’s at age 14, where I proudly served as the “fry guy,” the only station I was allowed to work at that time.
I am the first in my family to graduate from high school and college. My mother left school in the 11th grade later returning to obtain her GED, and my father in the 9th grade; he never learned to read or write fluently. Their struggles fueled my determination to build a different path, one rooted in service, leadership, and opportunity.
Over the past 32 years, I have dedicated my life to serving my community through volunteerism. Every obstacle I’ve faced has shaped me into the servant leader I am today. My journey is proof that circumstances do not define us; our choices, our compassion, and our commitment to others do.
My Career
I’ve built my career on service, leadership, and the belief that every voice matters. As a nurse, educator, advocate and healthcare leader, I’ve spent more than two decades standing up for patients, mentoring future clinicians, and improving the systems that shape care in our community. Now, I’m ready to bring that same commitment to the West Volusia Hospital Authority.
From my early days as an Emergency Medical Technician to leading teams of nurses and teaching the next generation of clinicians, I’ve seen firsthand how healthcare policy impacts real people, and how informed leadership can make all the difference. I’ve fought for safer practices, equitable access to care, and stronger support for the frontline professionals who keep our community healthy. I’ve led with heart, built teams that thrive, and always put people first.
My goal is simple: to ensure that every West Volusia resident has access to high‑quality, patient‑centered care, supported by transparency, integrity, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
West Volusia deserves leaders who listen, act, and understand healthcare from the inside. I’m ready to serve and make West Volusia healthier.