Personal Statement

My father was a pastor when I was growing up, and service to others was the primary value in our home. I always thought I would go into the ministry, social work or counseling.

I graduated early from high school, got married and moved to Kentucky. By the time I was 23, I had finished my bachelor's degree in social work at UK and had three children. I was a stay-at-home mom for several years and worked a few part-time social work jobs.

When my children were older, I went to Asbury Theological Seminary to get a master's in counseling. I worked in a private practice and was an on-call chaplain at UK Medical Center for a couple of years before returning to UK to get my master's in social work. I facilitated the parent education clinics for divorcing parents in Madison and Fayette counties for over 15 years. I did my clinical placements at UK Outpatient Psychiatry and have continued to work here since 1999.

I did triathlons in my 30s and took up ballroom dancing in my 50s, where I met my current husband. We have 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren between us. I have always loved working with young children and am surrounded by them at work and at home!