Team Category: Charlotte Clinical Team

Abridged Life Story

My story begins back when I was a teenager watching Michael Johnson in the 1996 Olympic Games. Like most teenagers, I was excited to watch new world records set by some of the greatest athletes in the world. But what mesmerized me was not the gold medals…

It was the pure potential of the human body.

(Kind of nerdy, I know).

Since that time, I’ve spent the majority of my life searching for ways to optimize how our bodies function – not exactly what they teach in medical school.

This means I had to search for answers across many disciplines. I’ve worked as an athletic trainer, studied advanced clinical nutrition, researched and published on dietary supplements, and mastered the art of cooking.

And all these things have resulted in some pretty incredible experiences along the way, like lecturing alongside my mentor Dr. Andrew Weil and traveling the world as an elite-level athlete.

Of course, this journey was never about optimizing my performance alone. It was about empowering others to do the same for themselves.

Abridged Life Story

In my previous NP life, I worked in conventional cardiology for almost 20 years. I love all the intricacies of the heart and find it fascinating, however the more I learned about the heart the more I learned that the root cause of cardiovascular disease is inflammation; and by changing diet and lifestyle much of cardiovascular disease can be prevented. This launched my journey into Functional Medicine. I began studying and learning all I could about nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, and Functional Medicine. After learning and applying functional medicine principles with my patients I felt that for the first time in my career I was truly able to help people heal, rather than just offering “a pill for every ill.”

On a personal level, I have had my own health struggles where conventional medicine offers no options. I have also struggled with my weight my entire life. Using functional medicine I have been able to manage and reverse my symptoms and finally start to lose weight.

I resonate with the mission and values of VYVE and I strive to bring the best to each person. I am passionate about using my knowledge and experience to empower people to push past their barriers to reach their full potential and their health goals.

Abridged Life Story

My life motto has always been to “Be the change you wish to see” and that nothing in this world is out of reach. Growing up, I watched my mom put herself through nursing school and then on to become the Director of Operations for a rehabilitation center. I knew I always wanted to follow in those footsteps, and I did just that, minus the nursing part. (Although I like to pretend)

I started my career as a medical aesthetician but soon realized I wanted to pursue a career in medical administration. Throughout my career, I’ve been in different medical settings such as cardiology, plastic surgery, and dermatology but ultimately found myself with VYVE Wellness and could not be happier. Seeing the changes Integrative and Functional medicine can make in a patient’s life has been incredible to witness firsthand. At VYVE, we truly are the change we wish to see, and I could not be more proud to be a part of this mission.

Abridged Life Story

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve been interested in holistic wellness and learning about the innumerable factors that play into creating a state of wellness or disease. I had always been an athlete growing up, but it wasn’t until I started practicing yoga that I began to appreciate how the mind and body affect one another. Wanting to explore this interest, I was certified to teach yoga in 2014 and became a certified personal trainer in 2015. I worked in these roles while earning a degree in biology and medical humanities.

After graduating from college, I began working in a pediatric integrative medicine clinic while continuing to work in the fitness industry. It was during this time that I determined I wanted to continue to work in integrative medicine in a capacity that allowed me to address the link between mental and physical health using a whole-person approach.

The longer I spend in the world of integrative medicine, the more I’m able to appreciate how resilient the body and mind can be when given the right tools and circumstances. Working with patients in VYVE’s neurocognitive program is a true joy because I get to see this play out every day in my patient’s progress and successes.

Abridged Life Story

Growing up in Southern California, I embraced an active lifestyle from a young age, starting swimming at five years old. This early passion not only fostered my love for athleticism but also ignited my fascination with the human body and mind’s resilience. My journey into healthcare was significantly influenced by my family; my grandmother’s six-decade career in nursing and education, along with my mother’s work in health science administration and fundraising, naturally drew me to this field.

While on the Women’s Swimming & Diving team at the University of Michigan, my curiosity about the mind’s impact on athletic performance led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Graduating during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 gave me a unique opportunity to reflect on what my next steps in life looked like. The global crisis strengthened my commitment to helping those in need and inspired me to go back to school. Eager to make a meaningful contribution, I enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s of Nursing program at Northeastern University and began my nursing career in the Emergency Department. There, I acquired a diverse skill set and extensive knowledge.

My decision to join Vyve stemmed from our shared values and a collective passion for improving people’s well-being. At Vyve, I aim to integrate my expertise and enthusiasm to enhance both physical and mental health, ensuring each patient leaves feeling better than when they arrived.

Abridged Life Story

I was born in a small town in the heart of Ohio and completed my BSN at Ohio State University. I began my nursing career at the James Cancer Hospital, where I worked in the float pool. I then embarked on a year-long adventure as a travel nurse on a pediatrics unit in Cincinnati. A blend of serendipity and friendships led me to Charlotte, where I spent my first year and a half at the Atrium Levine Cancer Institute as an infusion nurse. Over the past four years, my role as an oncology nurse has significantly enhanced my skills and knowledge, shaping me into a more proficient RN.

Over the past four years, my role as an oncology nurse has greatly enriched my skills and deepened my knowledge, shaping me into a more skilled and compassionate RN. My passion for oncology remains steadfast, driving me to help others feel their best, both physically and emotionally. This desire brought me to Vyve Wellness, where I am dedicated to helping patients achieve their goals and optimize their health. I am eager to embark on this new chapter, diving into the opportunities to make a meaningful difference in others’ lives.

Abridged Life Story

Originally from Raleigh, NC, I graduated from NC State University with a strong ambition to enter the medical field. After earning my degree, I joined a nonprofit clinic as an OB/GYN Medical Assistant. When COVID-19 struck, I embraced a new challenge by uprooting my life to attend nursing school during the pandemic.

This led me to Charlotte, where I enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s of Nursing program at Northeastern University. I quickly formed a close friendship with Emily, and together we navigated the late nights and early mornings of surviving nursing school. After graduation, I chose to settle in Charlotte and launched my nursing career in the Emergency Department. Over the next two years, I discovered my passion for trauma care—a field that is both immensely rewarding and incredibly challenging.

As I gained experience, I began to notice the gaps in healthcare that often overlook the integration of a patient’s mind, body, and soul. This realization inspired me to join VYVE Wellness, where I could build meaningful relationships with clients and empower them to achieve their health and wellness goals. I deeply value the opportunity to help others recognize their full health potential—not just the absence of illness, but the presence of overall well-being.

I am a creative soul dedicated to transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Balancing my nursing career with a passion for an active lifestyle, you can often find me at music or sporting events in Charlotte, enjoying long walks with my dog, Jax, or rallying with good friends. I cherish home-cooked meals and sharing a glass of red wine with loved ones.

Abridged Life Story

I have always had the gift of “gab” and have never met a stranger. If I’m honest, I could carry a conversation with a brick wall 🙂 I naturally gravitated towards positions where I worked in the front office throughout high school and college.

Since graduating college, my dream job has been to work within the healthcare industry because it provides people the unique opportunity to provide care and compassion to others.

After researching integrative and functional medicine, I was drawn to the environment curated by Dr. Haas at VYVE Wellness. Through different restorative therapies, we can provide patients with a better quality of life and target specific areas of concern. I look forward to empowering patients to optimize their health alongside my team and connecting with new people who eventually become much more.

Abridged Life Story

Growing up as a kid, I always listened to my parents share stories of helping their patients daily, as my dad is a doctor and my mom a nurse. I learned a lot from them starting at a young age, and I’ve always found medicine and the human body fascinating.

I pursued my Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree in college at the University of South Carolina. After college, I gained experience working at doctors’ offices and with patients daily and gaining medical insurance experience.

From all that I’ve learned, I realized I wanted more experience working on the preventative side of medicine. I am truly excited to be a part of the VYVE team and to help every patient reach their full potential.

Abridged Life Story

I was born and raised in Spokane, WA. I’ve always loved health and fitness and I spend most of my free time with my family. I really cherish helping people feel their best.

I grew up doing martial arts, multiple sports and I’ve always enjoyed anything outdoors. I’m a published author for my research in exercises related to performance enhancement. I enjoy learning about the body and ways to improve lifestyles.

If I have any free time I typically exercise, read, or play video games. I enjoy anything that brings people together for a good time. My family is my everything and without them I would’ve never found my love for health and wellness. Everyone has a story and I hope to be one of the good parts.

Abridged Life Story

Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, I am passionate about helping others feel their very best. My goal is to make a meaningful impact on our healthcare system by enhancing the patient experience through excellent care and innovative solutions.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, food, music, art, and spending time with family and friends. My favorite animal is a Lion and I even have a lion tattoo representing strength, courage, and confidence.
What I love most about being apart of the VYVE Wellness team is building connections with patients and witnessing their progress as they achieve their health goals