I began my journey in healthcare as a nurse 10 years ago by delivering comprehensive, direct patient care across diverse healthcare settings. These settings include telemetry, cardiac intensive care and medical intensive care units across the Chicagoland area. Through this experience, I learned the importance of working as a team, truly listening to patients, and communicating clearly – all of which are vital in providing preventative health education, obesity/weight loss management, and promoting healthy lifestyles. My hands-on care approach centers on encouraging patient independence and designing care plans that reflect their values, goals, and lifestyle.