The Nurse Practitioners behind your care.

My name is Kayla, and I am a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. My journey into healthcare began at a young age while watching my mother pursue her nursing education. I would often look through her textbooks, fascinated by science, human biology, and the art of nursing. That early curiosity grew into a lifelong passion for helping others achieve optimal health and wellness.

Outside of healthcare, I grew up deeply connected to nature. I spent my time camping, hiking, gardening with my grandmother, enjoying the water, and traveling. These experiences shaped my belief that there is a profound connection between humans, nature, and overall well-being. I believe we have a responsibility to care for one another and for the environment in which we live. This philosophy has become a cornerstone of my approach to healthcare. I believe that connection to nature can play a powerful role in healing and is an essential component of overall wellness. My goal is to create an environment that supports the connection between mind, body, community, and the natural world while promoting long-term health and vitality.

I began my professional nursing career as a Registered Nurse in subacute care at Elderwood. After six months, I accepted a position at ECMC in 2015, where I continue to practice today as a Nurse Practitioner in the living donor sector of the kidney transplant department. Throughout my career, I have gained experience in psychiatry, chemical dependency detoxification, substance use rehabilitation, medical-surgical nursing, trauma intensive care, dialysis, and transplant medicine. Across these diverse healthcare settings, one common theme has remained evident: the growing burden of chronic disease and its impact on quality of life, functional ability, and long-term health outcomes. I have also witnessed the limitations of a healthcare system that often focuses on treating disease after it develops rather than preventing it from occurring in the first place.

My passion lies in helping individuals take a proactive approach to their health. By integrating evidence-based traditional medicine with functional and lifestyle-focused approaches, I strive to identify and address the root causes of illness while supporting the body's natural ability to heal. Together, we can focus on prevention, optimize overall wellness, and create a personalized path toward achieving your health goals.

As a Nurse Practitioner serving the Buffalo community, I bring more than 10 years of nursing experience and nearly 4 years of advanced practice experience to patient care. My healthcare journey began in long-term care, where I had the privilege of caring for the elderly and developing a deep appreciation for compassionate, patient-centered medicine.

I later advanced to hospital-based nursing, working in both medical-surgical and emergency department settings, where I gained extensive experience caring for patients with a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions. As a Nurse Practitioner, I have continued my career in outpatient specialty care, working closely with immunocompromised patients and helping them navigate complex health challenges.

My approach to healthcare is rooted in listening. I believe every patient has a unique story, and understanding that story is essential to providing meaningful, effective care. I combine the clinical knowledge of modern medicine with the holistic perspective and patient advocacy that nursing is built upon.

Having personally witnessed how quickly medications are often prescribed, I recognize that while medications can be valuable and sometimes necessary, they may also come with side effects and limitations. Whenever appropriate, I believe in exploring holistic and functional medicine approaches first, focusing on identifying and addressing the root causes of illness rather than simply treating symptoms.

My goal is to help patients achieve lasting wellness through prevention-focused care rather than reactive care. I am committed to taking the time to truly listen, educate, and partner with my patients while thoughtfully incorporating evidence-based conventional medicine when needed. By blending modern medical science with a holistic approach, I strive to help individuals achieve optimal health and improve their overall quality of life.