1. Who has been the biggest influence on your life?

My paternal grandmother came to the U.S. from Italy to work as a seamstress and raise my dad as a widow. She led by example, teaching me a hard work ethic and took me to church every Sunday. She showed me how to pray, sew, and cook. I admire her for everything she did and sacrificed to give her family a better life.

2. What made you want to become a nurse?

I wanted to be a nurse at seven years old. My maternal grandmother was suffering and I told her that I wanted to take her pain away. My grandmother and my mother also worked in hospitals and I volunteered when I was old enough as a candy striper. I was the first in my family to go to college and I bring a lot as an advocate for the health of my family to my practice.

3. What brought you to La Salle as a student to get your BSN and then later to teach?

I was already an R.N., so getting my BSN was the next step. Coming from a religious background, the culture and mission of La Salle was important to me. But then I discovered how at home the community of La Salle made me feel and still does. I worked as a nurse for years but felt the calling to give back, to nursing and to La Salle. So, returning to teach was an easy choice because I feel such a connection to this place. When you’re here, you’re part of the La Salle family.

4. Do you study nursing outside of the classroom?

My Ph.D. included an extremely involved dissertation and I learned that conducting research is important to me. I stay really hands-on in the field and have been all over the world, from Rome to Palestine. I collaborated with Lewis University (a Lasallian University) on an expansion of my dissertation and developed the satisfaction tool for nurse practitioners. I also presented my research on “Parents’ Refusal of the HPV Vaccine” at the 2016 La Salle Research Symposium in Minneapolis.

5. Do you think having been a student at La Salle has had an effect on how you teach?

Absolutely. Having been an adult student here while raising kids and working gives me compassion and understanding. And by doing research outside of the classroom, I’m able to bring it back to my students in their lessons. Other than nursing fundamentals, I try to reinforce the importance of good communication skills, critical competence, listening, and empathy—all part of the La Salle
mission.

FAST FIVE

What is the best place you’ve ever visited?

Venice, Italy was a beautiful place and I loved it because it reminded me of my Italian grandmother. I also love Marco Island in Florida, on the Gulf side. I go with my husband every summer.

Where is your dream vacation?

Without question, Tuscany. I love everything about Italy and the culture and I just think it would be such a great place to visit. Good wine, organic food, and cooking—it sounds great, doesn’t it?

What is your favorite movie?

Under the Tuscan Sun, of course! The book and the movie. I also love musicals and time period films like Evita and Mama Mia.

What sport would you play if you were in the Olympic Games?

Ice skating. I ice skated when I was younger and I love the music, the dancing, and, of course, the costumes.

What would you do with a free weekend?

Spend time with my family. I have four kids, three grandkids with one more on the way, a supportive husband, and a yellow lab named Sandy. They keep me busy.