For more than 25 years, my life’s work has revolved around caring for others. From critical care nursing to anesthesia, I’ve always been driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. But it wasn’t until May 2022, when I founded Viva Infusions & Wellness, that I truly found my calling in holistic care. The journey to this point, however, was anything but linear—it was shaped by personal growth, my identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and my experiences as a nurse and mother.

Coming Out 

Growing up as a sheltered Jehovah’s Witness, I didn’t even know what a lesbian was. Homosexuality, I was taught, was wrong. Yet, when I began to realize that I had feelings for girls, I knew I had to be honest with myself. In 1996, I came out to everyone I knew. It wasn’t easy. I lost a friend who thought it was just a phase, but I also gained clarity. My uncle came out shortly after I did, and now, two of my sisters are also lesbians. My family’s journey reflects the power of authenticity and the importance of embracing who you are.

Travel Nurse 

As I stepped into my career, my path as a nurse took me all over the country. I went from my home state of Florida to Austin, Texas, and eventually to Long Beach, California, working as a traveling ICU nurse. These years were formative, not just professionally but personally. One of the pivotal moments came when a friend invited me to a drag show in Dubuque, Iowa. I wasn’t expecting much, but little did I know, I was about to meet the love of my life. She was sitting in the back seat of the car, and 18 months later, she followed me to my first duty station in San Antonio, Texas. There, we made history as the first same-sex couple to pin my rank of Captain in my squadron in the Air Force.

Becoming a Parent 

After my tour in Afghanistan, we decided to grow our family. We used the cup and syringe method to conceive, and when our daughter was born, we became the first couple at San Antonio Military Medical Center to have a birth certificate that read “Parent 1” and “Parent 2” instead of “Mother” and “Father.” This was a moment of immense pride, not just for us, but for the community we were helping pave the way for.

Career Advancement 

But life didn’t slow down. Pursuing my doctorate while raising an 18-month-old was one of the most challenging times of my life. I was absent far too often, focused on school and work, while my wife and her family took on the bulk of parenting. It caused strain, frustration, and led to feelings of guilt. After finishing my degree and stepping into the real world, things didn’t improve. I was working 70-hour weeks in the operating room, on call every four days, and when I finally came home, I was utterly exhausted. I knew something had to change.

Starting a Business 

In May 2022, I took the leap to leave full-time anesthesia and open Viva Infusions & Wellness. It was risky. I had no idea how the community would respond to alternative treatments like IV vitamins, minerals, supplements, and hormone replacement therapy. Offering ketamine for chronic pain and mental health was the riskiest of all. But I knew firsthand the power of these treatments. My mother’s battle with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and two of my sisters’ significant mental health issues—which prevent them from leading full lives or working—fueled my passion to make these therapies accessible in a supportive and affirming environment.

Stories of Empowerment & Improvement 

At Viva, we’ve created a space where everyone is welcome, where people can take control of their health and feel empowered in their own wellness journey. One of the most rewarding experiences we’ve had was with a lesbian couple. One partner came in seeking relief from chronic pain, while the other struggled with debilitating orthostatic hypotension. After just one NAD+ infusion, the latter experienced a dramatic improvement. She no longer needed to stop halfway up the stairs because of dizziness. That moment—watching her wife’s joy—was a testament to the power of personalized care and the impact it can have on the LGBTQ+ community.

Another memorable story involves a phone call I received late at night from a father in distress, just after Christmas. He had personally experienced ketamine treatments the year before, which had helped reduce the severity of his depression. Now, his 17-year-old son, a young gay man, had spiraled into a debilitating depression following a traumatic event at school. His son had stopped thriving—he wasn’t eating, wasn’t engaging in life, and traditional treatments like antidepressants—which could take up to six weeks to start working—were not an option for him. The family had spent countless hours with psychologists and psychiatrists, but the wait for real relief was too long.

Understanding the urgency, we began ketamine infusion treatments right away—six sessions over the course of two weeks. I remember meeting the young man for the first time; he reminded me of that scene in the Trolls movie, where the trolls turn gray from sadness when they’re about to be eaten by the Bergens. He was lifeless, making little eye contact, and was visibly thin. But after the second infusion, I noticed a subtle change—his eyes held more color, and he looked at me a little longer. By the third infusion, he walked into the clinic and hugged me, telling me that the ketamine had helped him realize how meaningful his life was, and how small his problems seemed in the grand scheme of things. By the end of the two weeks, he was full of color, had gained some weight, and was thriving once again. His parents were thrilled by his remarkable turnaround, lamenting why ketamine wasn’t a first-line treatment for depression and suicidal ideation.

The last time I saw him, he came in for a booster infusion three months later, excitedly telling me he was off to Arizona State on a full-ride scholarship. He left me a thank you card and a gift, and in that moment, I felt the full impact of the work that I do. No thank you note or five-star review (of which we’ve received nearly 70) compares to the reward of knowing you’ve truly helped someone turn their life around.

Services to the LGBTQ Community & Beyond 

I’ve always believed that health care should be affirming, sensitive, and supportive. As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand the importance of feeling seen and understood by your healthcare provider. Unfortunately, traditional health care, often limited by insurance, doesn’t always provide the holistic and preventive care that people need. That’s why Viva operates as a cash-pay practice, which allows us to delve deeper into issues like hormone balance, weight loss, and fatigue. We’ve seen firsthand how transformative this approach can be.

Starting a business while raising a child and trying to balance family life hasn’t been easy. There have been sleepless nights, moments of doubt, and countless hours spent worrying about whether I made the right decision. But every time I see a patient walk out of our clinic feeling better—feeling hopeful—I’m reminded of why I started this journey in the first place.

For me, Viva Infusions & Wellness is more than a business. It’s a reflection of my belief that health care should be personal, inclusive, and empowering. We offer a space where people can heal, thrive, and take control of their health. And I’m proud to offer that space to my fellow LGBTQ+ community members and beyond.

For more information, go to vivainfusions.com or call/text 608-820-8482 to schedule a consultation.