Biography
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2009 followed by a Master of Science in Nursing in 2013 from the University of Utah. Before becoming a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) I worked for five years as the charge nurse for both the child and adolescent inpatient units at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute in Salt Lake City. As a PMHNP I have worked in various settings including a psychiatric crisis center, several substance use disorder treatment centers, an eating disorder treatment center, therapeutic boarding schools, and at the BYU Student Health Center. I have worked with BYU as an adjunct faculty from 2014-2019 when I was hired full time at BYU.
My wife Danina and I have three children. I enjoy family time most of all, playing guitar, wrestling kids (my own), watercolor painting, and spending time outdoors.
Research Interests
Holistic Well-Being (personal, community, systems)Positive Psychology
Interdisciplinary lens in research
Spiritual Care
Cultural Humility/Shared Decision Making
Qualitative
Teaching Interests
Holistic Health/WellbeingPublic Health
Distress Management
Positive Psychology
Education
- MSN, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing , University of Utah (2013)
- BS, Nursing , University of Utah (2009)
- BA, Spanish , Utah State University (2008)
Licenses and Certifications
- AANP, Buprenorphine Training Certificate (2018 - Present)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the lifespan) PMHNP-BC (2014 - 2028)
- Utah DOPL, A.P.R.N. Controlled Substance (2014 - 2028)
- Utah DOPL, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (2014 - 2028)
Honors and Awards
- Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University (2019 - Present)
- Associate Teaching Professor, Brigham Young University (2025 - 2026)
Memberships
- American Nurses Association (2025 - Present)
- International Family Nurse Association (2022 - Present)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2012 - Present)
- Utah Nurses Association (2009 - Present)
- Trascultural Nursing Society (2024 - 2025)
Professional Citizenship
- Other, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2025 - 2025)
- Conference-Related Role, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2023 - 2024)
- Other, American Psychiatric Nurses Association Utah Chapter (2021 - 2023)
- Conference-Related Role, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2020 - 2021)
- Officer (specify in Other), American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2020 - 2021)
- Other, American Psychiatric Nurses Association Utah Chapter (2019 - 2020)