Heather received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southern University. She then worked in the Labor and Delivery, PACU, and NICU units for many years until she decided to pursue her Master’s Degree. She also received her Master’s of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southern and obtained her Family Nurse Practitioner Degree. She began working in psychiatry at that time. In 2021, she received her post-master’s certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. ​She has worked exclusively in psychiatry and substance abuse since 2016 and brings over 10 years of experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment, with a background spanning both inpatient and outpatient settings.​ While she does not routinely manage primary care concerns, this training allows her to take a more holistic, whole-body approach to psychiatric care—considering how physical and mental health intersect to support overall well-being.