One of the treasures of my life has been the privilege to enter the lives of those suffering through unexpected diagnoses, disease, physical pain, and emotional distress. I do not take for granted this calling to serve and the blessing of knowing God’s will in my life. Writing, speaking, and communicating with you allows me to reach more, help more, and learn more. This is a part of my evolutionary purpose, stones built upon the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

In 2018 a dying patient comforted me with the words, “It’s okay, I am going to have a good death.” Her peace through her suffering inspired my quest for the answers to “What are the ingredients of a good death?” The ingredients discovered for a good death changed my life and my hope is that they make your suffering a little less and your joy a little more.

I was in my thirties when I met Jesus for the first time. I wasn’t a fan. He had stolen my husband’s heart and I just didn’t get him (Jesus or my husband). However, Jesus pursued me to the end of myself and when I cried out for his peace, his joy, HIM…He answered! He accepted me as I was, deeply flawed and yet forgiven. This is the Jesus I know. He is my Lord and Savior who came to this broken world and suffered on the cross unto death. Yet, He came to conquer death and was raised to the right hand of Father God so that I may one day also survive my death. This is my best death. If you are reading this and do not know him, He is pursuing you too! Stop running.

I hope to share my family with you as we get to know each other. My husband Scott and I share five great children, two fantastic sons-in-law, and eight super grandchildren. We raised our kids with the quote of “roots to grow and wings to fly” and they are each flying in their own journey. When we come together it can be a beautiful mess and not without drama (let’s keep it real here). I love to have Christmas in matching pajamas and don’t be surprised if we show up to Krispy Kremes in our matching flannels. We are a tribe. In fact, myself and the kids are members of the Western Cherokee Tribe.

I graduated from medical school in 1989 and pursued Internal Medicine at Baylor Medical Center in Houston. In 1992, I was recruited as one of three physicians in a new hospital-based program—what we now call Hospitalists. Since then, I’ve spent most of my career caring for patients at their most vulnerable, and in doing so, they’ve become my greatest teachers. In 2009, a medical mission trip to Rwanda changed my life. I felt God say, “This is your place and your purpose.” I expected to build a clinic, but God invited me into a season of growth and waiting. Serving with Africa New Life—as a volunteer, board member, and now Chair—has been a profound gift. That clinic is now a thriving hospital. God’s plans truly are better than ours.