What is your current position on the BOD?
I am the treasurer for CANA. I have been in this position for almost 3 years.
Have you served on any other committees (CANA or AANA) or another BOD position prior to becoming Treasurer?
I was a Trustee for one year. I am also on the Leadership Committee which is being renamed the Nominating Committee. I have been on this committee for 5 years.
What/Where is your full-time job?
I work fulltime for Kaiser Permanente, the Diablo Service Area in Northern California. I have been with Kaiser Permanente since 1999. I do all types of anesthesia. I like placing epidurals for the laboring patients. It’s rewarding to see them get relief from their contractions.
How do you balance and manage the stress of your full-time job, BOD position, and family life?
I like to be outdoors when the weather is nice. A year ago I started doing obstacle course racing. To train for them, I run/walk the hills around my home. When I’m in a race, my focus is on the next obstacle and nothing else. It clears my mind. My husband and I have a trailer in the mountains we love spending time at. It’s so peaceful and is much needed in the hectic life as a CRNA.
What is your favorite anesthesia specialty?
I love doing regional anesthesia and I think Labor and Delivery anesthesia is one of my favorites. I do like to do spinal anesthesia for knee or hip surgeries.
Is there any research, thesis, practice projects, missions, or other anesthesia related work you would like to share with our community?
I am an expert witness for the California Board of Registered Nurses. I review cases they get when an RN is reported to the board for various reasons. I really learn a lot from the reviews I do. I also provide anesthesia in male prisons for colonoscopies and endoscopies. I feel this a way I give back. It’s very rewarding and the inmates appreciate the service.
