I am an experienced physician assistant (PA) who cares for children with cancer at MSK Kids. I am trained to assist surgical teams during both general pediatric operations and surgeries to treat children with blood cancers. I am also a registered dietitian specializing in pediatric nutrition. I work with families to manage and improve nutrition for babies and children of all ages.

My goal is to help patients and caregivers feel supported and at ease when they see me. It’s important that I do my best to take care of the whole patient, both mind and body.

I have enjoyed working with children since I was a babysitter in my teens. I became interested in caring for children with cancer when I diagnosed a child with neuroblastoma during a consultation for constipation. It felt so rewarding to be there with the patient and their family from the day of their diagnosis through the end of treatment.

As a PA at MSK Kids, I work with our pediatric surgical staff to take the best possible care of our patients before, during, and after surgery. For example, I:

• See patients in clinic to get them ready for surgical procedures.
• Assist the attending surgeon during procedures in the operating room.
• Manage the daily care of our patients admitted to the hospital.
• Provide follow up care to patients after surgery.

Most patients and families are worried about what to expect during a surgical procedure. I take the time to meet with them, answer their questions, and use hands-on models and printed materials to educate and prepare them for their operation.

Patients who are admitted to the hospital after surgery and their families are usually eager to know what needs to be done before they go home. I walk through a checklist of things they need to do prior to discharge and make sure everyone understands how to care for the child during their recovery.

I am also involved in research at MSK. I am working with colleagues on a study to see how better nutrition for children with neuroblastoma before surgery can improve their recovery afterward.

In my spare time, I love to be active. I enjoy running or hiking with my large husky mix, Rupert. I run several half- or full-marathons a year. I also like to travel to the Pacific Northwest where I used to live to rediscover the color green and challenge myself with some mountain hikes. One of my favorite hikes was summit Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. I’m always up for a national park adventure, but also love to travel all over the world to explore the best food I can find! At home, I enjoy curling up with a good book or cooking, especially homemade pasta.