What is your job title? Licensed Practical Nurse/LPN

How long have you been with Penn-Mar? Almost 5 years this time around.

How did you get connected with Penn-Mar? Started as a DSP in 2008 while I was in college for my bachelor’s degree in psychology. Referred by my roommate at the time.

What was your previous work experience prior to Penn-Mar and how did it prepare you for your current role? I was a DSP for a few years while going to college at two of our residences. Worked up to a Sr. DSP (SRA back then) then as an acting supervisor. As a nurse, I worked in a nursing facility with people with neuromuscular disorders, a family practice and an in-patient psychiatric facility. My previous workplaces prepared me by experiencing different people across all spectrums of need level, care level, and cognitive level.

What does your work entail? Supporting DSPs with training for hands-on medical care, medication administration, and various other medical based topics, giving medication at times, ensuring medical follow-up and care is being received, and attending appointments to advocate for the people supported.

What’s an average day like for you? No two days are ever alike. Some days I’m in the office reviewing paperwork or nursing protocols, some days I’m out at the programs interacting with the people supported, answering questions they may have, or training staff to care for the people we support, some days I’m going to the hospital to visit someone we support and advocate for them to the doctors and nurses, some days I’m attending trainings for myself to further my nursing education or knowledge base to better support people.

What is your favorite part of your job? The people we support, obviously. Aside from them, having a culture of innovation and collaboration where ideas are listened to and where team members from all different departments can be heard.

What’s one thing you wish people realized about your job? That it’s hard. Advocating and bringing awareness to the I/DD population to other medical professionals is so truly difficult. Many times, our voices are silenced by closed minds with outdated beliefs and policies, or fear.

In another life, your career path is . . . I’d be an electrician.

Why is Penn-Mar’s mission important to you? So often it seems that are people in the I/DD setting shunned away, or less-than those in the “normal” community. To live courageously means to be out and about and proud of who you are, with or without a disability. Being an advocate for the people we support is crucial so they can live a courageous life and do the things that they want to do.

What’s one thing you wished the general public knew about people with IDD? People with I/DD are still people and should be able to or have access to do everything someone without I/DD can.

What is your favorite quote or mantra? A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor.

Any hidden talents or fun facts someone wouldn’t know about you? I am one of eleven LPNs in the country with the DDC certification (Developmental Disability Certified). My family camps in a 1965 Shasta camper that we re-did a few years ago. I have made over 10 quilts and love to craft.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, you’d visit . . . Colorado, or North Dakota. Somewhere in the mountains far away from civilization.

In your spare time, you’ll be found . . . Napping.

A book, movie, TV show, sports team, etc. you love: I really get into the psychology-based shows, like Hoarders, I’m a Killer (Netflix), Brain Games, The Mind Explained. I also like documentaries, especially Planet Earth, (or anything narrated by <Sir> David Attenborough), Keep Sweet, Shiny Happy People, The Ted Bundy Tapes, etc. Favorite movies of all time are A Night at the Roxbury, Napoleon Dynamite, and Down Periscope.

Something fun, interesting, or meaningful about yourself if you feel like sharing/we didn’t already ask: I love animals, especially cats.