Q: What inspires you about the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and their Foundress, Saint Katharina? Are there particular values or works that you find especially important? 

As a nurse practitioner dedicated to serving vulnerable populations, I have always felt a deep calling to respond to the needs of my patients and community. This sense of purpose is what draws me to the mission of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and the legacy of Saint Katharina. Their unwavering commitment to recognizing and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable deeply resonates with my own values and professional journey.

Q: Please share a memorable interaction you have had with a grantee and their staff/clients. 

Since joining the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, I have truly enjoyed visiting grantees and learning about their organizations. Each site visit has left a lasting impression on me. I’ll never forget my first site visit to Out of a Jam. The passion of Paula, the founder, was truly inspiring. Her courage to confront a need in her community and turn it into a mission-driven organization really moved me. I always leave these site visits with a renewed motivation to carry out God’s work in my own life. 

Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the St. Joe Foundation Board?

Serving on the grants committee has been the most rewarding experience. I’ve enjoyed learning more about the incredible work being done by grantees across our community. Having spent many years working with vulnerable populations in Fort Wayne, I’m often pleasantly surprised to discover new organizations making a meaningful impact—ones I hadn’t previously encountered. It’s a privilege to support their missions and good works.

Q: Tell us about an accomplishment in your professional or personal life that you are proud of.

I am proud of the policy and advocacy work I do on behalf of vulnerable patients in Indiana. For the past decade, I’ve worked with various organizations, including the Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Indiana and Healthier Moms and Babies, to advocate for legislative changes that would increase access to affordable, quality healthcare and improve health outcomes for patients in our state. While I love working one-one-one with individual patients as a nurse practitioner, I am motivated to have policy make large-scale change for entire communities.