Erika Giraldo was a RN for about 20 years starting out as an Active Duty officer in the Navy working in ICU, telemetry, medical-surgical wards, outpatient clinics and as a hospital House Supervisor and then transitioned to a civilian nurse and worked in cardiac telemetry and home health. Erika decided to go back to school for her Master’s and Doctorate degrees at the University of Washington as she wanted to help other families navigate the IEP process for children and recognized a critical need for child psychiatric providers. Since 2010, she has practiced as a Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in an outpatient psychiatric setting seeing patients across the lifespan. For the last 6 years, she has treated patients on Saturdays while starting a new career working as a Clinical Practice Liaison for a neuroscience biopharmaceutical company. Erika is now in a Director role leading a team of clinical practice medical science liaisons. She has had the opportunity to contribute to several strategic internal projects and has an interest in Health Economics and Outcomes Research. She also volunteers on an Advisory Counsil for the HER Foundation, supporting women and their families who suffer with Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
The greatest advantage of integrative care is allowing more access for patients to receive evidence based psychiatric care. She is thankful for this program allowing nurse practitioners to work collaboratively with physicians in this unique fellowship. This will provide her with additional training, knowledge and skills to lead or provide collaborative care in her community.
Her greatest achievement of course, is being a mother and grandmother and that she is “happy” with where she is now, personally and professionally. She is very proud of her military service. She has learned so much over the years through her experiences with family, friends, occupations, co-workers and her community and is open to continuing to learn and grow.
Erika’s favorite family vacation is going to Disneyworld. She never gets tired of pineapple dole whips or riding the Haunted Mansion ride. They especially love going during Halloween and Christmas and immersing themselves in the magical experience.