My healthcare journey began with caring for my sick grandmother's 2001. My grandmother was my world. I couldn't watch her being cared for in a nursing home, so my family and I decided we would take her home and care for her. After she passed on, I remembered how thankful she was every day we were able to care for her. She always told me to do what makes me happy and to find my purpose and passion in life. Theater was and always will be my first love, but I also had a passion for caring for others. I decided I wanted to take my passion and make a career out of it and studied to become a Certified Nursing Assistance in 2009 and began a new journey in life. I worked with various healthcare companies until I joined In Home Personal Services in 2011 as a Home Service Worker. I was quickly recognized as a leader within the company, even when I doubted myself and was promoted to Team Lead then Director, and eventually Regional Director during my tenure. My ability to multitask as a caregiver while keeping the company’s mission at the forefront has proven a great asset.

I took a short break from home care in 2020 to focus on other goals. In Home has been a big part of my growth; I've always loved being a part of the company's mission, so I returned in 2022 as the new National Director of Brand Outreach with Matthews Healthcare Education. Some of my responsibilities include making sure franchisees and caregivers remain compliant with their state and local laws. I’m also responsible for some of the Business Development for Matthews. I connect with the community by building and maintaining relationships and sharing the importance/benefits of a certified caregiver. Caregivers are so important to the community and sometimes forgotten how important they are. As we all know, a caregiver fills in the gap that a nurse, doctor and sometimes family members are unable to fulfill.

In addition to that, I’ve added new credentials to my title by becoming a Virtual Dementia Tour Facilitator -VDT Facilitator with Second Wind Dreams® . SWD is an award-winning Dreams Program which sheds light on the positive aspects of aging. The Tour simulates the effects of aging and dementia to give families, caregivers, and the general public an opportunity to walk in their shoes.

This life-changing experience results in a better understanding of the physical and mental challenges faced by those living with dementia, which empowers us to provide them with better care and support. I’ve been so happy with this program because it truly is a powerful way to connect society to a forgotten truth about seniors: the truth that age does not erase hopes and dreams. Together we are working to change the perception of professionals, families, communities at large and of the seniors themselves. Older does not change the meaning of adult.

As Matthews is growing, I’ve found ways to help us continue to grow by working closely with web developers in transforming the website into a complete online experience for customers.