Neonatal Pediatric Registered Nurse Expert Witness

21 years of RN experience, and critical care certification. Specializing in the Neonatal ICU (NICU), the Pediatric ICU (PICU), home care, and discharge education, for a nationally recognized pediatric institution in Boston. Experience in medical review of physicians and long-term care facilities.

EDUCATION

1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing
   Framingham State University, Chamberlain College of Nursing
   2009-2011
2. Associates of Science in Nursing
   Mass Bay College
   1995-1998

LICENSE & CERTIFICATIONS

Massachusetts Board of Nursing
RN licensure
1998 to present

Cricial Care RN Certification
AANC
2018 to present

BLS Certification

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification

SKILLS

• Critical Care
• Medical Record Review
• PACU care
• Patient Assessment
• Infection Control
• Leadership / Charge
• Precepting
• Discharge Education
• Ethically Challenging Situations
• Neurologic Diagnoses
• Genetic Diagnoses
• Congenital Anomalies
• Care of the Surgical Patient
• Ventilator Management
• Case Management

WORK EXPERIENCE

Staff RN, Per Diem RN, Home Discharge RN
Boston Children’s Hospital 2004 to 2013 / 2016 to present.
14 years as a Level III Neonatal ICU nurse with floating to the Pediatric ICU (PICU) and Cardiac ICU (CICU). Experience with most medical and surgical diagnoses, including birth trauma, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), non-accidental trauma, prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), cardiac defects, neurologic disorders, metabolic disorders, rare genetic disorders, and multi system failure. Routinely care for patients on multiple modes of ventilation, and/or with tracheostomies, chest tubes, gastric tubes, and central lines. Routinely care for critically ill post-op infants in a PACU role. End of life care for dying infants and grief support for their families. Charge RN and CRN as needed. Preceptor of new hires. Home Discharge RN for “NICU to Nursery” Program, consisting of home visits to newly discharged infants to ensure smooth transition of care from NICU to home, and adequate caregiver education. Member of the NICU Discharge Committee from 2017 to present.

RN Pediatric Care Manager
Boston Children’s Hospital 2015 to 2016
Coordinated care of high risk pediatric patients within the ACO for Children’s Hospital Integrated Care Organization, to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital admissions for the medically fragile pediatric population. Home visits and assessments as needed.

RN Corporate Peer Review Specialist / Medical Record Review
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Massachusetts 2013 to 2015
Assisted medical directors on the peer review committee in determining if a grievance towards a physician or facility (nursing home, long term care, skilled nursing facility) was valid, via medical record review and medical claim review. Determined if there were quality of care issues that needed to be addressed. Discussed concerns with the peer review team and formulated appropriate corrective action plans or prepared a legally sound case for termination of provider’s contracts. Presented cases and findings to the medical directors and the peer review committee (and if necessary, to the physician and their attorney) in a thorough, evidence-based manner.

Home Care RN
PSA Homecare, Inc. 2009-2011
Homecare nurse for an infant with seizure disorder and cerebral dysgenesis

RN Case Manager
Sunrise Senior Living 2002-2003
Coordination of client care via health assessments and home safety evaluations. Completed and implemented care plans. Supervised and educated home health aides. Liaised between clients, families, and team members. On-call duties as needed.

Staff RN
Massachusetts General Hospital 2001-2002
Staff nurse on a surgical thoracic step-down unit. Post operative care of patients with esophagogastrectomies, lobectomies, and other disorders related to respiratory and GI/GU issues.

Staff RN, Charge RN, Interim Nurse Manager
Westwood Lodge Hospital 1999-2001
Charge RN promoted to interim nurse manager of a pediatric psychiatric unit. Supervisor of 30 employees. Responsible for scheduling, unit program development, and implementing DMH

MEMBERSHIPS & COMMITTEEES

AACN Membership
2018 to present

NICU Discharge Committee
2017 to present

NICU to Nursery grant-funded project co-lead
2018 to present