What do you do for a living?

I am an advanced practice nurse and scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute working at the Women’s Heart Health Clinic. I am specialized in women’s heart health, hypertension and diabetes. In addition to my clinical work, I also do research and quality initiatives to help improve how we assess heart problems in women and educate people regarding women’s heart health.

What is your interest in women’s heart health and what made you decide to pursue a career related to it?

I know firsthand what it means to be misdiagnosed and dismissed. Nursing education regarding women’s heart health is extremely limited even though the majority of nurses are women. Women’s health is impacted by various factors including the great hormonal changes throughout the lifespan. As a certified diabetes educator, I have a great passion in improving diabetes management in women with the hope to improve their heart and blood vessel health.

What was your career path that got you to your current position?

I came to Canada at a very young age to study. I volunteered and worked while I studied. My research path while studying integrated science led me to study in nursing and after practicing a few years in both nursing and research, I advanced my knowledge through a masters degree in nursing but then, I noticed there is a gap in education that is related to health literacy so I continued my educational path and completed my doctorate in education specializing in diabetes health literacy. While completing my doctorate degree, my path led me to the women's heart health clinic at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Working with a unique multidisciplinary team, helped me to further my knowledge regarding women’s heart health and aim to improve the education model for women’s heart health.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?

I hope to be able to continue to provide and improve care for women because education does not mean anything if the person who is receiving it does not understand it. I hope to be able to advance research regarding diabetes and women’s heart health.

What advice would you share with someone in high school (or college/university) looking to pursue a career in women’s heart health?

Volunteer, get involved and attend as many events as possible to continue to learn and improve your knowledge. We all started somewhere 😊.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Change starts with you so don’t wait for others to change first.