Today I celebrate coming home to the place where I found my life’s passion and calling more than ten years ago. I first met Melinda in 2011 after the passing of my mother, beginning my journey at No Worries as a grateful, wide-eyed caregiver with a heart for supporting individuals and families with the compassion and skills I had wished I had found for my mother in her end of life. I return to this rare and remarkable beacon in our community, now an experienced nurse, with the incredible fortune of being entrusted to carry on a beloved legacy and envision a grand future, as Vice President.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude and valedictorian from OHSU in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau with honors in Gerontological Nursing. My career began where I had served in my practicum in the Acute Care Medical/Surgical Oncology unit there, and I later transitioned to a role as RN Coordinator for the Knight Cancer Institute where I led a multidisciplinary team in the outpatient setting.
Having these exceptionally challenging and rewarding experiences in both hospital and clinic environments, as well as having lived experience as a caregiver in the home care setting historically, will allow me to approach my role as Vice President not only with a broad perspective of needs within the community, but also a true understanding and empathy for the complexities of home care. I also bring with me more than 20 years of history in volunteer work for local and national non-profit organizations, administrative support, group leadership, and non-profit creation.
I recently married the loves of my life, Zachary and his daughter (now my chosen daughter), Scarlett. My other loves include camping, hiking, picnicking, fishing, photography, poetry, music, animals (including our two cats, Layla and Mukluk), and volunteering. I am grateful beyond description for being welcomed back to No Worries with such confidence and warmth, and look forward to learning each of your stories and how I can serve you with integrity, humility and devotion.
Caitlin