After graduating cum laude from Nassau Community College with an Associate in Science Degree in nursing, I joined North Shore University Hospital in 1985 as a Registered Nurse working as a member of various units including the General Medical Unit, the Float Team, and the Coronary Care Unit/Medical Intensive Care Unit. I continued my education, earning my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in nursing in 1994 and 1996, respectively, from the New York State University of Stony Brook and became an Adult Nurse Practitioner (Primary, Acute and Critical Care). In 1994, I assumed the role of Research Coordinator in the Department of Emergency Medicine and subsequently became the Clinical Director of Research until 2001, when I was appointed the first Senior Research Director for Emergency Medicine. In this role I have been responsible for the Basic Science, Translational and Clinical Research Programs. I instituted and direct the Emergency Medicine Program for Academics, Research, and Teaching -EMPART. I have been a member of the health system’s IRB for over 14 years and have coauthored over 128 publications. I’ve lectured on regional, state, and national levels; and am a member of over 30 groups and committees. My research interests include acute myocardial and cerebral injury, septic shock, and clinical evaluation of novel therapeutics.