She holds Master of Science degrees in both nursing and business in addition to a PhD in Public Policy and Administration. In addition to teaching full-time, she also serves as the Executive Director a local not for profit home health care agency. As a Board Certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, she is a staunch advocate for aging in place initiatives at the local and state level. She serves on a number of health care boards within her community and is active on a number of committees both at the institutional and state level aimed at enhancing quality and improving access to needed health care services. Her research interests include gerontology, health care policy, and nursing leadership.