CFNC Charlotte

Growing up, I was heavily involved in many sports, especially soccer. Anytime I sustained an injury, I would go to my chiropractor for treatment to help get me back on the field as quickly as possible. Chiropractic care helped optimize my performance, which peaked my interest as a possible career path.

I always assumed I only wanted to work with athletes, which led me to pursuing an exercise physiology degree at Saint Francis University. The traditional path was to continue on to become a physical therapist, but I wanted to go off script. I was the only student in my undergraduate class to go on to chiropractic school instead of physical therapy, and it was the best decision I ever made.

While attending Palmer College of Chiropractic, I completely switched my plans of only wanting to work with athletes after being exposed to the world of functional neurology. I attended my first seminar held by the Carrick Institute, and after seeing this field’s potential to help people, I was instantly hooked. I started the Carrick Institute CNS program to begin studying for the Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board certification less than a month later.

 

While attending chiropractic school, I served as vice president of the functional neurology club, served as a student ambassador to the Carrick Institute, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with academic excellence.

What I enjoy most about the field of functional neurology is seeing the hope restored in patients’ eyes when they achieve a milestone, or the relief they experience when they finally receive an
explanation for their condition.

 

As a member of the CFNC team, I work my hardest for each and every patient and continue to learn every day so that I can provide top quality healthcare for everyone who walks through our doors.

I have long had a passion to both understand and bring out the best in others. While at  the University of Chicago, I tutored and mentored students for whom staying alive in their neighborhoods each day was a challenge – offering them hope and direction for a brighter future.  After graduating with honors and a degree in Anthropology, I traveled to Vietnam to teach English at a university and then returned to the U.S. to work with at-risk youth, this time in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

 

After a few years, I followed a love for meditation and mindfulness to become a monk under the Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh. During my 12 years as a monk, I learned from amazing mentors and taught at retreats in the USA, Europe, and Asia. During this time, I became proficient in numerous healing modalities and developed in-depth knowledge regarding diet and herbalism which I used to help both myself and fellow monks.

 

Following a call to serve in healthcare, I left the monastery and enrolled at Palmer College of Chiropractic.  While there, I immediately recognized the power of functional neurology and immersed myself in it via studying at the nearby Carrick Institute. I served as their student ambassador as well as the president of Palmer’s Functional Neurology Club, developing and delivering curriculum and exposing fellow students to the possibilities for patient care that lie in functional neurology.

 

I graduated summa cum laude with academic excellence and strive to always continue learning. I bring compassion and attention to my patients, delivering individualized and integrated holistic care based on their conditions and background in order to allow them to thrive and realize their highest potential.

My undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts, was a wonderful foundation to integrate my sports background with a passion for neurology and commitment to helping others. While in college, I competed in Division 1 athletics, which provided an opportunity to discover chiropractic care for health and overall wellness. I credit chiropractic with helping me perform optimally and injury-free as I continued competition at the international level as a member of the Women’s National Field Hockey team. Once I retired from competitive sports, the natural choice for a career was to pursue additional education as a Doctor of Chiropractic.

 

During my first few months of doctoral education at Life West Chiropractic College, I became fascinated with the neurological history of chiropractic and was fortunate to meet Professor Carrick. This introduction to a functional neurological approach was exciting and served to put the pieces together for an approach to health care that is patient-centered, individualized and encompasses aspects of multi-modal brain-based therapies, neuro-musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and clinical nutrition. I graduated chiropractic college in 1996 and immediately continued with post-doctoral training in clinical neuroscience and chiropractic neurology. I completed Board examinations and was awarded a Diplomate in Chiropractic Neurology in 1997.

 

Additionally, I have enjoyed serving on faculty at Life Chiropractic College West (2006-2010) where I taught in the diagnosis department along with spinal anatomy courses. In 2009, I was honored to be appointed to faculty of the Carrick Institute as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation.

 

When I’m not in the office, I am spending time walking the trails with my 2 dogs, enjoying time with my parents who live nearby, and continuing my personal health and wellness journey by taking courses and learning from other doctors as we all strive for greater ways to be active and engaged throughout our health span.

My passion for helping others began at a young age. My love for the brain started when I attended the University at Albany where I studied neuroscience and volunteered as an emergency medical technician. I served as the new member trainer for incoming EMTs. I love teaching and integrate this into my patient care. 

 

I continued on to chiropractic school with the intent of pursuing a career in functional neurology and functional medicine. I began taking clinical neuroscience classes through the Carrick Institute for graduate studies during my first quarter at Life University. During my time at Life University, I served as the president of the neurology club and had the pleasure of presenting research at the International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience. I also had the privilege of assisting and learning directly from Professor Carrick during neurology rounds in Atlanta, GA. I became a diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology immediately following my graduation from Life University.

 

As a board certified chiropractic neurologist, I have had the pleasure of treating many complex neurological cases. I believe it is of utmost importance to spend quality one-on-one time with patients and really listen. I enjoy educating my patients and empowering them to take their health into their own hands.