DD is a pediatric nurse of over 30 years and mom of three adult children and one amazing granddaughter. She is a Clinical Consultant and the Founder of Hearts Connected, a pediatric mental health and wellness company serving families through the United States and Canada, bringing Child Life services to the community.

While she is now a healthcare leader and consultant, she was at the bedside for many years where she personally witnessed the impact that child life specialists have on both the child and the child’s loved ones while they faced situations that were hard to understand during their medical care.

She has a deep desire to bring Child Life services that typically are only available to patients in pediatric hospital settings to families in the community and is excited to support CDLR as a board member.