Care Specialist

After leaving the military, I worked in the private sector until I continued my education with a bachelors and master's in social work, obtaining my clinical license in social work the following year. I decided to pursue social work after my nephew was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. My family was educated and assisted with my nephew's diagnosis through his medical and educational providers, and I hope to be able to provide the same assistance to the individuals and families at Duke Health.

I completed my Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from the University of Mount Olive and worked as a certified phlebotomist for several years. I am currently completing my Master of Social Work at East Carolina University. I recently interned with Ana Liffey Drug Project in Dublin, Ireland and am passionate about international social work. I speak French and Irish conversationally. I love dogs, baking, crafting, and my ECU Pirates! I am passionate about cultural competence, community outreach, mental health, and substance-use disorder.

I’m originally from St. Louis, MO, where I earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. After relocating to North Carolina with my little sister in 2022, we quickly embraced the beautiful NC weather! I spent the past eight years as a school social worker, driven by a deep passion for supporting individuals, children, and families. I thrive on connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, meeting them where they are, and helping them access valuable resources and support.

I have been privileged to live as well as work in several different states in my life. This has allowed me to learn a great deal about the difference in people's needs. I have worked mostly with children throughout my career, which has given me the opportunity to assist parents with the development of their children. Helping people be successful with their goals and in their lives is what I truly enjoy about this career.

I have many years of experience working with patients going through hardships, such as homelessness or lack of healthcare coverage. Within my role, I have been able to lift some burdens off of these patients and assist them with gaining healthcare coverage and connecting them with other agencies and resources that can be beneficial for them. I love working with the community and knowing that the work we do can play a positive part in people's health and well-being.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA). My focus is empowering survivors of abuse and other traumas to take control of their own healing processes through therapeutic support. I have experience working in the healthcare industry, as well as the community and nonprofit sectors, and servicing clients in crisis. My area of expertise is helping individuals with depression, anxiety, life changes, conflict in relationship, and interpersonal issues.

I have extensive experience in patient care, both in mental health and critical care. My interest in the work I do stems from the desire to help individuals obtain quality healthcare while feeling like they are seen throughout the entire process. I want to provide assistance navigating medical care along with showing attention to patient needs.

I was born and raised in Durham, and my passion since graduating from North Carolina Central University has been working with vulnerable populations. I have more than five years of experience working with the homeless population, veterans, child protective services, and pediatrics. I look forward to incorporating health care into care management by addressing social determinants of health to prevent health inequities and assisting patients to reach their goals.

I received my Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Salem State University in 2018. I have over four years of experience in human services, specifically with individuals experiencing homelessness with co-occurring substance use disorder and psychiatric illnesses. I have been trained in the successful completion of social security/disability applications and look forward to supporting patients with this challenging process. I recently relocated to North Carolina from Massachusetts, and I am excited to join the DukeWELL team!

I worked ten years in the school system before completing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. The vast part of my social work experience comes from the field of child welfare (with a focus in families and children) with Durham County Department of Social Services for over six years as an In-Home Service and Foster Care social work case manager. I later transitioned to social work and medical case management via Duke University Hospital.