1. What is your current role at CMRI?

My role is to provide concierge-like service to our research community for any technology, data management or software needs. I promote resources available at Children’s Mercy to help research teams achieve their goals and provide onboarding consultations and demonstrations of those available resources. I also assist researchers with obtaining real-world data to assess study feasibility, submit grant proposals and publish manuscripts. If you have an idea, suggestion or new project opportunity for Research Informatics, reach out to me to get the ball rolling!

2. What drew you to a career at CMRI?

When I was graduating from college, I knew I wanted to be a part of a health care system where I could be regularly exposed to the patients being served while doing the work to serve them but didn't know where I would fit. When I was first hired as a research assistant, the CMRI didn't exist yet, but word was spreading about a new tower being built and the buzz was exciting — I wanted to be a part of it!

Over the years, my role has transitioned from being a research assistant/coordinator in a Clinical Pharmacology wet lab, to being an Infectious Diseases research coordinator during the COVID-19 pandemic and working with community partners to control viral spread in schools, to my current role in Research Informatics where we are constantly evolving and adapting to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence services and the overall digital health technology landscape. I truly love being a part of the research community at Children’s Mercy; hearing about the incredible work being done by research teams and labs at CMRI and seeing first-hand how the work being done is directly benefiting our patients, community and beyond, is the most rewarding job ever!

3. What are your research/career goals?

I consider myself a "lifelong learner" and hope to continue expanding my knowledge, skill sets and experience in research for the rest of my career! As many of us know, many career paths in research are not a straightforward or linear process, and so far, I have just "fallen" into each of my roles at Children’s Mercy at the right time. Each role has given me so many skills and opportunities and a culmination of those roles has allowed me to be a well-rounded research professional. I hope to continue my career at CMRI for many years to come!

4. What is your favorite thing about working at CMRI?

The people! We all believe in the mission and vision of Children's Mercy and that unified mindset is rare outside of these walls. I love coming to work every day and being surrounded by some of the smartest, kindest and most compassionate people I've ever met — our patients are in great hands and I'm so proud to work here!

5. What is on your bucket list?

I love to travel — Japan and Thailand are currently at the top of my bucket list to visit! I also love music and sports, so I feel lucky to live in Kansas City right now where I can be a proud Swiftie (who doesn't have meeting Taylor Swift on their bucket list?) AND (hopefully) attend some FIFA World Cup 26™ games at Arrowhead Stadium this summer which we have been looking forward to since 2018!