Many years background in nursing and working within the scientific field of medicine, I soon came to realize about other holistic healing influences that were not so logically explained. My nursing experience began with hospital medical-surgical experience, and then evolved into acute adolescent and adult psych mental health (also at local hospitals). Recognizing revolving acute care for fragile community seniors who needed something in-between independent living and nursing home care, I co-developed & co-owned an educational non-profit corporation and established the 1st state certified assisted living homes in both Charles and St. Mary’s counties of Maryland in the early 1990's.
 
Building on aspects of remaining amongst community health work without working 24/7 as an owner, I was then awarded more stable & supported community services working in Prince Georges County mental health clinics. The next career opportunity came when a Charles County psycho-social rehab program created a new position for their own agency nurse. This position included leading an assessment team in transitioning and stabilizing appropriate disabled participants.

Serving during these years as an actual member of the grassroots advocacy group called the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of St. Mary’s, I was appointed by St. Mary’s County Commissioners to serve on the Core Service Agency Board of Directors. During this time of service, I was invited to serve on a Request for Proposal (RFP) selection committee to award a one year grant for local mental health services. With a unanimous award for an agency that provided Progressive Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) model of community mental health treatment, I became that agency’s nurse. The plan was to develop another psycho-social program for mental health candidates. I became a community liaison nurse for those in the community needing mental health services support.

A nearby residential treatment center for severely disturbed adolescent males that offered wrap around services including educational and clinical support, became my next venture that had amazing challenges for professional development. I have had the good fortune to recognize offered opportunities of career growth, the next being involved in end-of-life care.

The hospice end-of-life forum needed a nurse who could inclusively be a performance improvement/staff development/infection control coordinator. I was offered that challenge. End-of-life is often laced with numerous and diverse mental health issues where individuals and families deal with intense grief. Here is where my reflexology interest and education flourished.

Promptly becoming certified at the Baltimore School of Reflexology (BSR), my hospice nursing position allowed me to begin integrating the benefits of reflexology for the terminally ill with emotional and physical pain management issues. These were heart-warming experiences I will forever cherish. During this time that I continually worked to bridge the world of reflexology to medical practice and professionals, I was nominated and awarded the 2003 Centennial Award for Outstanding Nursing Practice by the Maryland Nurses Association.

I eventually became an invited assistant BSR instructor. Practicing at capacity in a Southern Maryland environment that was hungry to explore reflexology, I requested that the Baltimore School of Reflexology also provide reflexology certification training in Southern Maryland. I was then honored to direct that effort that began in 2004.

Having become nationally certified by the American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB) in 2005,   I received the award of teacher accreditation by the American Commission for Accreditation of Reflexology Education and Training (ACARET). I attended the 2006 biennial Reflexology Association of America (RAA) conference in Tucson, AZ, of which pre-convention segment on Leadership Workshop was time well spent.  All conference sessions and leadership workshop were ARCB approved continuing education credits.  I am active in the Maryland Reflexology Association (MDRA) and have served as a board officer.

I also continue as a local board member to District 9 of the Maryland Nurses’ Association where I had served as a Maryland delegate to the American Nurses’ Association Conventions for the last 14 years. For the last five years, I have provided intro-complimentary reflexology sessions for all participants at the Maryland State Nurses’ Association conventions. “Introduction to Reflexology” is an American Nurses Credentialing Certification approved (1.2 CEUs) presentation that I have offered at state convention, to other nursing district organizations and local medical facilities.

I remain active at both professional nursing and reflexology levels and continue to embrace ongoing educational opportunities. I maintain a private reflexology practice at my Wicomico Shores home studio and as a practitioner with the Southern Maryland Alternative Healing group near Solomon’s Island.