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As a nurse with more than twenty-five years’ experience, I served in the USAF Nurse Corps and continue to serve veterans at the Gainesville VA in Mental Health Services. I was voted Nurse of the Year for mycontributions of spreading laughter and resources to wounded and homeless veterans in Southern California. It is my life’s dream to become the female “Bob Hope” of the VA, spreading laughter and joy to a most vulnerable population and overworked staff. I am currently an active member in the AATH, a nonprofit member-driven international community of humor and laughter professionals and enthusiasts (AKA SOUL TRIBE).  I recently was awarded The Nursing National Daisy Award for saving a Veteran from suicide.

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When I am not saving lives (LOL), you can find me writing, walking, and wining/whining at local shops. My loud, infectious laugh tends to give away my whereabouts from miles away. My humor is a big part of my professional and personal life. I tried stand-up in LA for a while, until I decided that open mics until 3:00 a.m. did not go well with pushing drugs on patients at 6:00 a.m. Although I did not continue the comedy dream on stage, I use it in my writing and with my patients. In addition, I have dabbled in storytelling and writing, my real passion and joy.

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​I have been published in the Whole Health VA Newsletter for my use of wholistic treatments to keep my depression in check. I contributed my blog in the Gainesville Sun during COVID to assist others with their mental health. In addition, I have contributed to American Journal of Nursing blog for my contributions of humor in healthcare for both patients and staff.

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I am actively making contributions to two nonprofits: Dachshund Rescue South Florida and the veteran nonprofit Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. Since a wiener saved my life, it is my mission to help connect other veterans with trained dogs. (Lenci was not trained and failed out of puppy school and my rescue wiener dog Cali is beyond being trained, she remains street in many ways.)

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I am using my hard past to teach others that a mental health diagnosis is not a death sentence but a catalyst to live a better life. I finally realized helping others and contributing to others joy kept my condition stable. I am finishing biggest life accomplishment in the funk, teaching others to feel better mentally. What can you finish in the funk? I will help you find out. Join me in this journey of healing, humor, and hounds. (Beware of wiener jokes on this site.)