My Approach
P3 Pediatrics Mental Health & Wellness is built on the 3 P's- Passion, Persistence & Positivity. As a Nurse Practitioner, I embody the passion to provide quality mental health care, persistence to improve the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions and positivity to inspire children, adolescents and emerging adults to reach their goals. I utilize an evidence-based, integrative and holistic approach to create individualized treatment plans for each of my patients. My goal is to truly get to know your child so together we can create the best care plan to fit your family and child's needs for the goal of optimal mental health and wellness.
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Why P3?
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It all started with an e-mail. In 2015 I came up with the idea to interview Ohio State's National Championship winning football coach about his leadership and how we could incorporate the philosophies of sports leaders to improve nursing and healthcare teams. I became very passionate about this vision and e-mailed Coach Urban Meyer. We corresponded back and forth for three years until finally one day he responded with the statement, "I admire your passion, persistence and positivity" and he agreed to schedule an interview with me that week. The rest was history and I realized how important those attributes have have been throughout my life. After finding my passion for pediatric mental health, I have used the same 3 P's to guide me towards my goal of improving mental health care for my patients and I hope the P3 mantra will help my patients as it has helped me.
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Holistic & Integrative Wellness
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For the last two years I have worked at a holistic and integrative pediatric practice in Jacksonville, Florida. I have since learned the art and science of integrative medicine and I incorporate many homeopathic supplements, foods, exercise and alternative therapies such as mindfulness, meditation, guided visualization, deep breathing, sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and heart math into my practice.
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Medication Management
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In addition to holistic practice I do incorporate prescription medications, including stimulants for ADHD, when needed after the initial evaluation and diagnosis consult. Some families may prefer to try natural supplements and/or therapy first, while others are ready for a medication trial. We can discuss your child's options and utilize the shared decision making process for what is best for you and your child's needs. My goal is to find the lowest therapeutic dose of the right medication, with the least amount of side effects for all patients. The ultimate goal for the majority of patients is to gain expanded coping skills through alternative therapies so your child will be able to stop prescription medications when the timing is right.
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Cultural Competence & Individualized Care
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While at Duke, I completed a global experience at the City of Hope in Tanzania performing more than 230 physical exams on children who lost their parents from violence and war—ultimately guiding me towards a career in pediatrics. In my Masters program I participated in another global experience in Honduras, working with an interdisciplinary team at various rural clinics. I moved to Ireland after graduation and have travelled to over 25 countries before moving back to the States. My time abroad and global immersion experiences were an important aspect of my background that positively influenced my ability to provide individualized, culturally competent care for each and every one of my patients.
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“No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt
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Empathy is arguably the most important aspect of quality healthcare and I truly do care about each and every one of my patients. At a young age I suffered from daily migraines and a nervous system disorder from undiagnosed Lyme Disease. I was unable to walk for nearly a year and through all of the ups and downs it was my family, doctors, physical therapists and nurses that helped me manage the physical and mental health struggles. When I finally recovered I knew I wanted to work in the health care field to help others like my health care professionals helped me. I carry that empathy with me in my practice and approach to mental health care. At the end of the day, I strive to understand my patients and their families to be able to connect with them, to care about their well-being, and to always act with compassion.
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I look forward to getting to know you and your passions to find your own P3 mantra in life!
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