I am originally from South Dakota. I began my nursing education at South Dakota State University in 1986 as a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing and a minor in Military Science. My nursing residency was completed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii and continued at Fitzsimmons. I transitioned from the Army as a Captain to pursue higher education at the University of Colorado Health Science Center in 1993, where I earned my Master of Science in Nursing and graduated with honors as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. My clinical experience has been focused in critical care, cardiac transplant, cardiology, and now heart failure. Educating patients, colleagues, nurses, and the community are inspiring to me and I have taught workshops for professionals throughout my career. I joined SDCA in 2003 and now enjoy my focus in the Transitional Heart Failure Clinic. I am a member of the American College of Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses. I have been honored with the Regional Florence Nightingale Luminary Award. Paula is a certified heart failure nurse.
Spending time with her daughter is a source of my enjoyment. I also take great pleasure in shopping, staying fit, and meeting up with friends.