Leading with Heart: Nursing, Advocacy, and Parenthood
From Single Parenthood to Patient Advocacy: How Personal Resilience Shapes Healthcare Leadership
Being a single mother is a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. When you’re raising a child with CHARGE syndrome and autism, every day becomes a lesson in patience, resilience, and unconditional love. My child has taught me more about advocacy, empathy, and the power of persistence than any textbook ever could — lessons that guide every part of my life, both personally and professionally.
As a nurse and thought leader, I bring that perspective into my work every day. In my role as a Chronic Care Manager and telehealth nurse leader, I support patients with complex medical needs, helping them navigate chronic conditions, behavioral health challenges, and coordinated care systems. The empathy and advocacy I’ve learned through parenthood translate directly to my nursing practice: I see the person behind the diagnosis, the family behind the patient, and the story behind every chart.
Technology has become one of my greatest allies in balancing these worlds. Telehealth, remote monitoring, and digital health tools allow me to provide continuity of care while still being present for my family. These innovations don’t replace human connection — they enhance it. They help me maintain that personal touch, even from a distance, ensuring that compassion remains at the center of care.
Parenthood has also reshaped my understanding of leadership. True leadership, I’ve learned, is about listening deeply, supporting others through uncertainty, and empowering people to thrive. It’s why I advocate for patient-centered practices and design care models that prioritize dignity, autonomy, and emotional well-being.
My journey as both a parent and a nurse has shown me that healthcare is never just about protocols or procedures — it’s about people. Every patient I care for, every family I support, and every challenge I face is shaped by the same core truth my child has taught me: that healing begins with compassion, and that love, when combined with purpose, has the power to transform lives.
