I am a first generation American, born of Colombian parents and was raised in New York City. I started my studies at New York University. I followed my active duty spouse to Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon graduation from the University of Texas at El Paso, I served as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

I started my graduate studies in Social Work at the University of Oklahoma and then transferred to Rutgers University where I completed my studies and was awarded a Masters in Social Work in 1994 and a Doctorate of Social Work in 2019.

   

     I have worked in a variety of settings across New Jersey and New York including community mental health, inpatient psychiatric unit for adults, a subsidized senior building with supportive programming, long term and sub-acute care setting which included ventilator management services, hospice care, and in-home counseling with families. I currently work for the Veteran’s Health Administration, currently at the Lyons, New Jersey Campus, where I serve as the Homeless Outreach Coordinator and Intensive Case Management Services Coordinator in the HUD VASH (Veteran Administration Supportive Housing Program).

   

 I am the proud mother of two sons, one of whom is an Army Officer.