SITE NAME
Stanford Children’s Health / Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
Role
VAD Nurse Coordinator
WHAT MADE YOU JOIN ACTION?
As someone who enjoys collaboration, data, and quality improvement, joining ACTION as a new VAD coordinator felt like a natural extension of the role.
WHY IS ACTION IMPORTANT TO YOU?
It’s so important to stay up-to-date on evidence-based practice and research, and ACTION provides a wonderful forum to do this with institutions across the nation.
WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT MOVING FORWARD IN ACTION?
Our VAD group at LPCH is helping with the education videos for the new Berlin Heart ACTIVE driver, and I’m very excited about it because it will be incredibly helpful for new sites joining the research study moving forward. These will be key resources for care teams that I wish we had when we first rolled out the driver! Stay tuned… 😊
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
My favorite quote is to “be comfortable being uncomfortable”. I’ve learned over the years that in order to grow as a person, we have to immerse ourselves in new experiences and unfamiliar grounds. It’s okay to be curious and ask questions—we were all beginners once.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK, AND WHY?
I’ve always appreciated the importance of quality of life and palliative care, and we read the book “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande in one of our nursing school classes. Its focus was on living presently, and I think that means something different for every person. It provided a framework for me as a nurse because I always take a pause to think about what I can personally do to improve someone’s care and bring a moment of happiness.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
I was a clinic manager at a dermatology office that had both medical patients and aesthetic clients. It was so much fun! I then moved onto healthcare administration & operations in a teaching hospital before attending nursing school.
WHO IS SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE WHO INSPIRES YOU?
Every time I see a child recover from their immediate post-op period and fight to be stronger and get out of bed, I am in awe at their resilience. Their smiles bring me so much joy.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION AND WHY?
I loved Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It was the perfect mix of sunshine, incredible beaches, amazing fresh food, nightlife, shopping, and culture. I seriously considered splurging on a beachfront condo there before I hopped on the flight back!
WHAT’S ONE THING OTHER ACTION MEMBERS WOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I am usually a health nut but I am addicted to Limon Flaming Hot Cheetos—my tongue is often raw from the amount I’ll eat in one sitting!
