With a Thankful Heart

Many milestones and changes this past year... So thankful for all of these and so much more...

• Celebrating my dad's 80th birthday
• Commemorating my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary
• My firstborn hitting Sweet 16
• Privilege to serve with Wrightstown Family Medicine for 16 years
• New opportunity to reach the neediest populations at Dedicated Senior

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!!

 The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

- Psalm 28:7

Chapter Ending

It is with a very heavy heart that I announce that my time at Wrighstown Family Medicine is coming to an end. After July this summer, I will be transitioning to serving the medicare advantage population closer to Philly.

Meeting Paul Caracappa and joining him in his vision to make a lasting impact on the surrounding community has been a true honor and privilege. Not only do we strive to offer the best medical care to our patients, but we also endeavor to offer comfort and a hope that is eternal. Forming close relationships with both the staff as well as the patients has been the most meaningful part of my entire time at Wrightstown Family Medicine. We have shared joys and sorrows, triumphs and setbacks... laughed, cried, and celebrated together...

So why the transition? Honestly, it was not something I foresaw coming but when it came to my attention that doctors were needed in a more underserved population treating the elderly, my heart was pulled. I remember why I decided to go to medical school in the first place.

In high school, I used to drive my grandfather three times a week to a hospital in Trenton. It was hard watching him struggle with high blood pressure which led to him needing kidney dialysis. Then he had a stroke which required us to call 911. I still remember how helpless I felt riding in the front seat of that ambulance, but that is when I decided to go into medicine. I wanted to be able to help folks like my grandfather.

The medical road is a long one and I am grateful for the support and encouragement of my collegaues and friends who have helped me along the way to become the doctor that I am today. Being at Wrighstown for the past sixteen years has been a true blessing. Words cannot do it justice. Although it is with sadness that I go, I am also exctied and ready to face the new challenges, experiences, and opportunities that is to come. In the end, leaving Wrighstown Family Medicine is not just a farewell, but a reminder of the power of relationships and the impact we can have on others. It is a celebration of God's faithfulness. So, here I am closing one chapter of my life and getting ready to start a new.

postcard we sent out 16 years ago when I first joined the practice!

Happy 2023!

This is the first year that we let our kids stay up for the actual Ball Drop in Times Square. In years past, we would celebrate the countdown with countries in other time zones so that our kids can get to bed by a decent hour. Fussy kids are no fun... but neither are fussy adults. Being more disciplined with sleep is one of my goals for 2023.

Most are familiar with how sleep can benefit your mood and immune system. Did you know it can also help with preventing weight gain? Few theories out there but one thought is that ghrelin, a hormone that makes you hungry, is increased with less sleep. At the same time, leptin, a hormone that tells you that you are full, is decreased. There are also studies that suggest lack of sleep promotes prediabetes which can then lead to diabetes, as well as worsen sugar control for those who already have diabetes.

So the reasons are many... but I find it super hard to do. The wee hours before bedtime is the only "me time" I really get and unfortunately, as the kids get older this time has shrunk. They used to all be in bed by 8pm at the latest. Now, it is a real struggle to get my middle schooler in bed before 10p. My high schooler is on her own... sometimes she is up even later doing homework. I suppose I will have to brainstorm ways...

Well... happy new year, everyone!