#I went into healthcare to help people.After highschool, I graduated with honors  with a  premed Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and concentrations in both Chemistry and Psychology before going on to graduate school. I obtained my Masters Degree  in 2002 and immediately started working as a Physician Assistant/Advanced Practice Provider. After 15 years of working in Medicine and caring for patients, I was at the top of my career and well respected. ##But I was  very frustrated with the healthcare system. 90% of the patients that I cared for were seeing me in the Emergency Department with complications from preventable diseases. In the Acute setting, I did not have the time or resources to be able to help them make lifestyle changes. It wasn’t until I went through a very difficult personal life stressor of divorce that I realized the toll that lifestyle had on me and how difficult it was to navigate change.  I suffered from sleep irregularity, poor stress management, weight gain, fatigue, poor nutrition, and relationship strain. I went to my doctor who drew blood and told me that my thyroid was functioning properly, that the remaining labs looked fine.  I received recommendations on what I needed to do, but was left to “figure it out” on my own to be able to accomplish those changes. It took me many years of wasted time and money on internet searches, different diets and programs, supplements, eliminating stressful triggers, and sifting through a myriad of misinformation until I found answers. ##I discovered coaching and the emerging field of Lifestyle Medicine. I went back to school and obtained my Professional Health and Wellness Certification from Wellcoaches, one of the leading programs in the country.  I then took the Lifestyle Medicine course and will be eligible for the National Board Exam through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine in October 2020. This was the missing piece to supplement all of the things that I did not learn in traditional medical training and allows me to help people in the way that I want to. ##I now practice as an Executive Wellness coach to be able to meet clients where they currently are and help them get to where they want to be. My extensive medical background now enriched by lifestyle medicine education provides an unparalleled experience for my clients. By leveraging lifestyle changes to correct underlying medical issues, my patients no longer need to navigate health on their own. I am there to help personalize their program and coach them every small but mighty step of the way.