I began to struggle with clinical depression at an early age. It was a struggle that got progressively worst through the years. Just when I thought I had reached the end of the road and survived a suicide attempt, I was able to get back up and put my life back together. Although I continued to struggle with depression I managed to finish a master’s degree in science at North Dakota State University and a doctoral degree in science at Washington State University. I then went on to pursue a postdoctoral in reproductive endocrinology and oncology at the University of Michigan. Throughout my graduate work I published several scientific articles in well respected peer reviewed journals. Following my postdoctoral training I pursued a doctorate degree in pharmacy at Creighton University.
I am currently Editor-in-Chief for one of the leading drug reference websites in the United States and an adjunct assistant professor at the University Of Nebraska Medical Center College Of Pharmacy. I am also the Author of Pharmacy Review, Pearls of Wisdom (Boston Medical Publishing Corporation 2001), Rapid Fire Pharmacy Review (Jones and Bartlett Publishers 2006), and Clinical Depression and the Stalker Within (Chipmunka Publishing, 2013).
While in pursuit of my graduate work I found a sense of purpose in volunteer work. I volunteered as a crisis line counselor for suicide prevention in Pullman, Washington. I then moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to pursue my postdoctoral work and volunteered as a counselor at Ozone House, a program that helps runaway homeless kids and taught life skills to kids living at Miller House, a group home. I also volunteered as a mentor at Project Transition, a center for the mentally challenged and worked part-time as a counselor at Dawn Farm, a detox and drug rehab program in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
The skills that I developed while doing my volunteer work gave me the foundation to use techniques aimed at tackling my clinical depression and achieve a sense of peace. For the past fifteen years that sense of peace has strengthened. Today I am happily married with two beautiful kids looking forward to help others achieve the sense of peace that eludes those who feel desponded and hopelessly depressed.