After working as a registered nurse (RN) in the emergency department of Duke University Medical Center, Julie received a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill where she completed her Master of Science in nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program (2008). She then moved back to Tennessee and began her career as a nurse practitioner at Heart and Vascular, where she trained and worked with Dr. Schoondyke before joining him at Karing Hearts Cardiology.
Early in her healthcare career, Julie developed a passion for cardiac care in the front lines of the Emergency Department. She was excited to take her experience back to her hometown in East Tennessee and work as a nurse practitioner in a cardiac specialty where she would continue to learn and grow. Julie loves cardiology, in part, because it is a field that is constantly advancing, offering new and improved therapies that can not only save lives but also, in many instances, improve quality of life for patients and their families. She has a special interest in the management of heart failure but enjoys and has an interest in all aspects of general cardiology practice.
Outside of work, Julie enjoys days spent outdoors with her family and friends, especially at the lake. She and her family also have a love for international travel. Whether it is a day at the hospital, the office or a leisurely day off, Julie likes to start her morning with a good cup of coffee.
