Where are you from and how did you come to practice in Anchorage?
I’m from the Ohio River Valley, and spent my childhood in Indiana and the rolling hills of Kentucky. I moved to Anchorage with my husband, who was serving in the US Air Force at the time. At the end of his commitment, we decided we were JUST TOO HAPPY HERE to leave. There is so much to explore, and we won’t leave until we’ve seen it all. We get outside with our young son as much as we can.
What about audiology first peaked your interest?
I first decided to be a nurse while working in a Nursing Home. I always wanted to see what the nurses were up to, and had so much fun helping with even the most mundane tasks. Our bodies are AMAZING, and the more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. So here I am, still learning every single day.
Where did you do your training? What were some of your highlights during that time?
I started nursing school in Louisville, Kentucky at Bellarmine University. After completion of my Bachelor’s of nursing, I worked at the University Of Louisville Hospital in the Trauma ICU. I LOVED every minute of this experience, but I knew I had to keep learning to practice safely. I married my sweetheart and we moved to Florida where I continued learning in the Pediatric ER. I have fond memories of taking care of Orlando’s kids with an amazing team. I also worked in a Surgical Center during that time- making sure everyone was ready for surgery and ready to go home safely. Again, I worked with a great team who wanted me to be my best. I felt so encouraged that I worked to earn a Master’s of Nursing and a Family Nurse Practitioner Certification. Upon moving to Alaska, I used my Master’s Degree to treat patients in an Urgent Care setting- lots of ear, nose, and throat practice there. I am THRILLED to continue building on what I know and making it useful to others.
What advice would you give to someone having hearing difficulty, but are afraid to make an appointment?
Please don’t wait to call us. Sometimes the problem is simple, and a small change makes a big difference- this is our hope for you. When the problem is bigger, so is the frustration, the pain, or the impact on your life. We can almost always help to alleviate those issues with our interventions. Let us help you focus on what matters most in your life!
If you or a family member may be experiencing hearing loss and a hearing test is necessary, you can contact our audiology center in Anchorage to schedule a consultation. You can also give our office a call at (907) 279-8800 to set up an appointment.
Erin is board certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Initially, she pursued hearing and speech pathology at Miami University of Ohio. After an additional undergraduate nursing program at Bellarmine University, she started her career in a Trauma ICU (Louisville, KY) She earned a Master’s of Nursing from the University of Central Florida in 2017 while she worked as a nurse in the pediatric emergency department and in an outpatient surgery center. After completing her training and a moving to Anchorage, she began work at a local urgent care, where she trained for just over three years. She is thankful to have joined the ACENT team where she combines her previous experience to provide thoughtful and comprehensive patient care with a smile. In her free time, she can be found hiking, mountain biking, skiing or traveling with her husband and young son.