I am a registered nurse, board certified in diabetes education and foot care nursing. A high incidence of heart disease in my family led me into the field of nursing where I've spent my life helping people with their health concerns.

Starting in my early teens, I personally experienced health, weight, and spiritual problems that kept me from living to my full potential. In my early thirties, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Other associated conditions can include weight gain, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Learning to accept and understand this diagnosis helped me better manage my health and mental well-being. (For more information on PCOS, visit the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association.

Growing up as a professional model and dancer, I learned early on of the relationship between nutrition and health by first helping myself. Later in life as a registered nurse, an increasing number of my patients had diabetes, leading me to become a diabetes nurse educator.

I have years of experience in most health care settings, including residential, long term facilities and inpatient and outpatient settings. A pioneer in the home health field, I was educated at Cleveland Clinic and board certified in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (WOCN), a field that brings a wealth of knowledge to health care professionals working with people who have diabetes. I learned early on of the importance of diabetes education in the home setting, where people spend the majority of their lives, rather than the hospital setting.

Well versed and knowledgeable in mainstream diabetes management, my own doctors encouraged me to look into the relationship of diabetes and obesity. I've traveled the country visiting various obesity treatment centers, some of which also specialized in diabetes. I saw amazing results that helped me develop more management choices for my patients.

My acquired knowledge, first-hand experience and passion led me to private practice as president of EnJOY Life! Health Consulting, LLC. EnJOY Life! provides health education to individuals and groups on a local and national level. Click here for more information on EnJOY Life!

In 2001, I teamed up with my lifelong friend and professional comedian Phyllis Shulman to form a health education/comedy team called Laugh It Off! LLC . We travel the country providing health education/comedy programs to communities and health care providers teaching people how to laugh off their weight and laugh off their numbers.

I am a Professional member of many health-care organizations and also an experienced spokesperson and regular contributor to media publications in the health industry. Be sure to check out my resume and biography for a full listing of my accomplishments and accreditations.

I live with my husband, Brian, in New York City and Columbia, Mo. Brian is an architect specializing in green and historic preservation architecture. Together we help build communities for healthier lifestyles. We are avid walkers who also enjoy traveling together.