I am an only child, born and raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, OH. I attended Miami University in Oxford, OH where I studied nursing and decided that pediatric nursing was my calling. I moved back to Cincy after college and a couple years later, my best friend from nursing school and I decided we were bored and wanted to try out big city life, so to Chicago we went. I met my husband while living in the city and we spent the majority of our city days in Roscoe Village. After the birth of our second child, we decided it was time for more space and after a long, exhaustive search, we landed in Hinsdale. I keep very busy as a wife, mom of 3, and full-time Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I am active in the Oak Elementary school PTO and occasionally find time for myself to visit with friends, play racket sports, and do pilates.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Jake, is an investor at J.P.Morgan Private Bank and may be one of the most fun people to be around that you’ll ever meet. We have three kids, Camryn- 10, Dylan- 7, and Tyler- 3. Camryn has her sights set on Broadway and Dylan hopes to be a future Messi. Tyler hopes to figure out potty training someday and then will work on the rest. Cam and Dylan attend Oak Elementary and Tyler will join his older siblings at Oak for preschool in the fall. Our dog, Iggy, has been with us for 13 years and has been the most loyal “big brother” over the years. Jake’s parents still live in his hometown of Saginaw, MI and my mom and stepdad live in West Chester, OH, outside of Cincinnati.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
When I moved to Chicago nearly 20 years ago, I began working at University of Chicago Comer Children’s hospital, where I still work today. I started my career as a PICU nurse working night shift, while I went back to school at UIC for my masters degree in nursing and obtained my certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. After finishing grad school, I took an Advanced Practice Nurse position with the Pediatric Surgery team and have since advanced to a management role overseeing our group of APNs. The work of my team is not for the faint of heart, as part of what we do involves being on the front lines in responding to the gun violence and traumas in pediatrics on the south side of Chicago. What I’ve always loved the most about what I do is seeing kids get better. Whether its the sickest of the sick hospital patients, or the healthier patients I see in the clinic setting, I love when I know I’ve made a meaningful difference in their road to recovery or helped to improve their quality of life. I love the work I do in educating families about their child’s illness, which often provides them comfort during a stressful time.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Fuller House, Page’s. We also love Capri in Burr Ridge.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We moved here in July 2017.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Probably my next door neighbor and good friend, Candice Olson. She’s from Britain and has taught me everything there is to know about British culture and terminology, the Queen, and the latest on Harry and Meghan. She’ll be embarrassed that I mentioned her, and there is so much more I could say about her, so I’m going to have to nominate her for this interview so the community can get to know her!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Italy! In October, my husband and I are planning to spend our 15 year wedding anniversary in Rome and Positano! I come from an Italian family and there are so many places in Italy I want to visit.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I don’t watch much TV these days, but never miss an episode of Bill Maher. I also faithfully watched White Lotus and Succession! I’m anxiously awaiting the next season of House of Dragon.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t take yourself too seriously! Be humble.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I don’t actually have a bucket list, but I should probably make one. I think swimming in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland should be on that list.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Vampire Weekend
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
My grandma, Sue. She lives in Cleveland so I do not get to see her very often anymore and she is no longer able to travel to visit us. I know she would just love our community in Hinsdale. I think I would take her to Page’s so we could watch the train go by. When I was around 8 years old, my grandma took me on my first train ride- to Chicago- so would be fun to reminisce.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The sense of community is palpable. Time and again I’ve seen the community rally around families and individuals during their time of need and it is so uplifting!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Probably still in Hinsdale, as we love it here and intend to put our kids through school here. Although, we almost pulled the trigger on moves to Seattle and LA before for my husbands job, so you never know when opportunity may come knocking.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I consider myself to be an introvert. I can actually be quite shy, but most people wouldn’t know that about me as I am always trying to push myself to be more extroverted.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Sedona, AZ. My dad lived in Phoenix before he passed away in 2015 and we took several trips to Sedona together when I was a kid. My dad always enjoyed sharing his love of natural beauty with me and Sedona will always have a special place in my heart.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
August. It’s the final push of summer fun and my husband and I both have birthdays, two days apart- same year, at the end of August.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Our neighbors. We live on a cul-de-sac street and hit the neighbor jackpot! You’ll frequently find us outside together around the fire pit, playing on the cul-de-sac swing set, or celebrating something! This group of families have truly made this community very special for us!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My mom, Kathy. She’s beautiful, smart, loving, and talented. She has always been my inspiration in juggling being a working professional and a devoted mom. She still lives in Cincinnati, but we hope that she’ll retire to the Hinsdale area some day!
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Freshly brewed coffee first thing when I roll out of bed in the morning.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, friends, community
