Debbie’s Story
Debbie is a nurse practitioner in the pediatric rheumatology department at Primary Children’s Hospital. She has a passion for children and has been working in pediatrics since 1997.
As a nurse practitioner in the pediatric rheumatology department at Primary Children’s Hospital, Debbie has dedicated her career to helping kids. She has a passion for children and has been working in pediatrics since 1997. After completing her RN, Debbie primarily worked in the rapid treatment unit. This is where she first met children who had been diagnosed with arthritis.
During her time there, Debbie had the opportunity to care for and develop relationships with these amazing children and their families. Upon completing her nurse practitioner degree, it was a natural and exciting transition into the rheumatology clinic. For the past six years, she has been able to continue helping children with arthritis and other rheumatologic diseases.
One of Debbie’s focuses is to help children understand that arthritis is something they have, not something that defines them. Having been diagnosed with arthritis herself, she has gained a personal understanding and appreciation for the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, immunosuppression and achieving optimal health. She thoroughly enjoys helping both children and their families overcome these challenges, manage their disease, become arthritis experts and reach life goals.
Debbie is truly valued and loved by peers, patients and families. She is part of the planning and volunteer medical team for Camp KODA, a summer camp for kids with juvenile arthritis, as well as a phenomenal supporter of the Arthritis Foundation. Additionally, she provides education on juvenile arthritis to nurse practitioner students to help increase community knowledge and awareness. Debbie is a wife and mother of two amazing boys.
During her time there, Debbie had the opportunity to care for and develop relationships with these amazing children and their families. Upon completing her nurse practitioner degree, it was a natural and exciting transition into the rheumatology clinic. For the past six years, she has been able to continue helping children with arthritis and other rheumatologic diseases.
One of Debbie’s focuses is to help children understand that arthritis is something they have, not something that defines them. Having been diagnosed with arthritis herself, she has gained a personal understanding and appreciation for the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, immunosuppression and achieving optimal health. She thoroughly enjoys helping both children and their families overcome these challenges, manage their disease, become arthritis experts and reach life goals.
Debbie is truly valued and loved by peers, patients and families. She is part of the planning and volunteer medical team for Camp KODA, a summer camp for kids with juvenile arthritis, as well as a phenomenal supporter of the Arthritis Foundation. Additionally, she provides education on juvenile arthritis to nurse practitioner students to help increase community knowledge and awareness. Debbie is a wife and mother of two amazing boys.