I get it!

I am not only a provider, but I am also a patient and a caregiver dealing with the challenging nature of complex health conditions related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  When my oldest daughter came very sick, seemingly overnight when she was 13, I watched in horror as she was misdiagnosed and not believed. She got bounced around between specialists, in and out of hospitals, then forced into a psychiatric hospital with the wrong diagnosis from a stubborn, arrogant physician. It just took one knowledgeable, caring provider who believed her medical condition to get her back on her feet. When my second daughter got sick at age 12, we had more knowledge, a good team in place, and had a much more positive experience. It has become my mission to try to help others get correct diagnoses and provide evidence-based, up-to-date treatment plans. What started as years of rare-disease research to help myself and my family has turned into an expansive knowledge base and a passion to help others. A recent confirmation of my own neurodiversity (AUDHD) has been extremely validating and adds another layer of understanding. I have personal and family experience with not only HEDS, MCAS, POTS and AUDHD, but also Hereditary Alpha Tryptasemia, cranio-cervical instability, occult tethered cord syndrome, sero-negative autoimmune disease, immune deficiency, small fiber neuropathy, ME/CFS, chronic migraines, complex cardiac arrythmia, CSF leak, MALS, SMAS and GI dysmotility to name a few. I know how difficult it can be to get providers to take you seriously, and to get proper care for these conditions. 

Education:​

​​I am a board-certified pediatrician, and I attended SUNY at Buffalo Medical School, and completed my residency at North Shore University Hospital. I have worked in a variety of settings, including a rural practice that also covered the Native American Health Center, an overseas practice in Bermuda, urgent care, and community health centers. 

EDS Experience: 

I had the privilege to work with Dr Anne Maitland, caring for complex Mast Cell Activation patients. Most recently I worked at the EDS Clinic, a telehealth clinic providing diagnosis and treatment for patients with EDS, POTS and MCAS. At the EDS Clinic, I realized that I have a passionate interest in caring for the most complex patients, so I started my own practice where I am able to spend more time and offer closer follow up with the patients that need it. I have participated in several EDS project echo cycles and attended numerous learning conferences and continuing medical education courses concentrating on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Dysautonomia, Mast Cell Activation, and most recently neuroinflammatory conditions such as ME/CFS and Long Covid. I am involved with non-profit organizations that support, protect and empower complex medical patients and their families.

Hobbies: 

In my free time, I enjoy laughing with my family, going to the beach, gardening, playing piano, listening to music, attending 21 Pilots concerts with my daughter, and telling really bad jokes.