I live in Annapolis, Maryland, not far from the Chesapeake Bay, and the U.S. Naval Academy
What is your current job/year in school?
What was your educational path after graduating from St. Mary School?
My parents strongly encouraged my sisters and me to pursue higher education. I earned a B.S. in Psycho-biology, and a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Connecticut, and a M.A. in Management / Health Care Administration from the Notre Dame of Maryland University.
I’m currently a Compliance Officer & Public Health Analyst at the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). I’ve worked in health care operations management, and administration for the majority of my professional career; in for-profit, non-profit, acute care, assisted living, and senior care health industries. I’ve held Nurse Manager, Director, Regional Director, and VP level positions. I’m also an advisory board member at the University Of Maryland School of Nursing, and a community health organizer for the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services.
What volunteer efforts are you involved with?
In my early life, in high school, I volunteered at Milford Hospital, and got my first job there as an Orderly/Nurse Aid. Later in life, I volunteered as an Advisory Board member at the University of Maryland School of Nursing; and as a community health organizer for the Anne Arundel County Maryland Department of Social Services – Annual Homeless Resource Day.
How do you feel SMS prepared you academically?
SMS provided me with excellent preparation for H.S. and beyond. At the time I graduated from SMS, Joseph Foran High School had just been built. Mr. Foran was my next door neighbor, and a wonderful mentor to me. I attended H.S. at Foran, and was part of the first full graduating class in 1977.
Do you feel SMS provided you with a foundation for your future?
When I attended SMS, the Principal, and a good many of the teachers were nuns. The nuns, and all of the teachers were quite strict, and expected our very best performance. SMS academics were always challenging. The teachers insisted on excellence in reading, writing/grammar, and mathematics. We enjoyed music, arts, sports activities, and field trips, as we grew together in faith and knowledge. We always celebrated Mass together on the first Friday of the month. As it turns out, we ended up developing friendships with classmates that have lasted a lifetime.
What are some of your favorite memories of SMS?
I had the great good fortune of reconnecting with many of my SMS classmates in Milford, in 2013, some 40 years after we graduated. We developed a social network, and continued to hold reunions for 5 summers after our first reunion. Many have kept up friendships after all these years.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to move back to New England when I retire, and live somewhere on the Atlantic coastline.
What advice can you give to our students?
Work hard in school, and pursue an education.
Develop discipline, motivation, and perseverance.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up – Galatians 6:9
