It is so nice to meet you! A bit about me, I am a clinical social worker, educator, and national speaker specializing in obesity medicine, weight bias, and integrated behavioral health. As a bariatric patient myself, I understand the complexity of obesity as both a chronic disease and a lived experience. Through my clinical practice, advocacy, and national speaking engagements, I am committed to advancing compassionate, ethical, and anti-oppressive approaches to obesity care.

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My journey did not start out in obesity medicine, but rather, my lived experienced guided my passion. I received my undergraduate education from New England College where I focused on child and family psychology. During my transition from undergraduate to graduate education, I studied at Kings College London - Oxford University to reinforce my clinical skills at an international level. Upon returning back to the US, I earned my Masters of Social Work from the University of New Hampshire where I focused on the criminal justice system and at-risk youth. Upon graduation, I worked with the local community mental health center at the highest care level of community crisis support for adolescents and families. When Covid-19 hit, I knew my passions had changed. I said goodbye to my role as a child and family therapist to wear the hat of hospice therapist.

During the transitional time between youth care and hospice, I took notice that my weight was becoming a daily obstacle. Reflecting back, I was always battled with my weight, but I had learned to adapt and be okay with my limitations. Through this life transition, I took notice that my health complications were becoming more pronounced due to obesity. By some random act, my path guided me to contact my local bariatric center and begin the treatment process.

Like most in our community, and despite being an expert in the field of obesity, I was contemplating the next step in my treatment journey. Prior to surgery, I too would say "there must be one more route I can take before accepting this level of treatment." The constant feeling of self-shame and guilt through treatment was later identified as internalized (implicit) weight bias. I have since recognized receiving treatment for a medical disease should never be layered with an overarching feeling of dread. Yet, obesity care still does.

My lived experience paved my way to open Time For a Change Wellness, LLC. A virtual bariatric-focused clinical source to support members of our community. Time For a Change Wellness strives to provide a non-biased outlet for our community members. From one bariatric patient to another, I understand.  

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Many years since opening Time for a Change Wellness, I am a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky with a focus on healthcare weight bias. I stand here now, proud and grateful to be the published author of Breaking Weight Bias: Integrating Social Work into Obesity Medicine, a committee member for multiple national obesity-advocate platforms, lobbyist for obesity care, national keynote speaker, and clinical professor.

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Although my journey took some unexpected turns, the disease of obesity led me to my passion, and for that I will forever.​

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