My Journey from the ICU to 'Keri Lotion Lady' - to the U.S. Congress

Greenwich, CT.    I was recently asked to testify before Congress by United States Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut regarding my work to help end human trafficking. I asked, "Why me?" There are many other people more well versed on this issue." I was told that I was asked because I'm a Registered Nurse and (because of that) have the ability to reach out to other nurses and members of the medical community who are at the forefront of increasing public awareness about victims of human trafficking.

Often, nurses and other medical professionals are the victim's first contact s outside of their imprisoned world.   We have to be able to look beyond what may appear to be prostitution, domestic violence, drug abuse, or a job related accident.

Human trafficking has no borders, the patient may be male or female, American or not well versed in English and frightened. The victim usually cannot and will not express that they have been trafficked for fear that their captors may harm a member of their family.

Ironically, due to Stockholm syndrome and a myriad of other psychological disorders, many don't even know that they are victims of trafficking.  Nurses are the eyes and ears of humanity and have the ability to intervene in these situations.  The nursing assessment is a crucial key.

My life has taken many paths since graduating from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, PA.  My first job was in the rigorous Neuro Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital. It sometimes resembled a scene from MASH.  The education and experience that I received at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and in the Trauma ICU laid the groundwork for my future.

As a student, I helped to support myself by modeling for local department stores in Pittsburgh. A prominent New York modeling agency presented me with the opportunity to move to New York City and pursue modeling as a career. It was a dream come true for me, however, no matter what I did, I still worked per diem in New York City hospitals .

Often a patient would comment on a soap opera, TV commercial   or magazine ad that I was featured in, s tating, "That girl looks a lot like you." I never told my patients that the girl in the ad was me. I was fortunate to have been the 'Keri Lotion Lady' in TV commercials, radio and print ads for three years. The ad agency and sponsor were thrilled that they could use a real nurse in their advertising campaign.   What an interesting turn for an ICU Trauma nurses life to take. Modeling and traveling the world were exciting but I was always drawn to humanitarian issues.

No matter what path my life has taken, I have always had the desire to make a difference in the world. I attribute that desire to the many life altering experiences I had during my nursing career. I believe that all health care professionals want to save or enhance lives. I haven't worked in a hospital setting for many years but my willingness to improve the lives of others remains.  Modeling and acting gave me the ability to step outside of the healthcare industry and impact change by using my nursing skills in different ways to save lives.

My career is diversified and I am actively involved with several national and international charitable organizations.  The steps that I take in life often lead me back to my roots and upbringing in Pennsylvania. My parents instilled good values and taught me to help others, I hope I have done the same for my children.   I made a commitment to save lives the day I began my education at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.   I know that as nurses, w e are all making a positive difference in peoples lives and in the world every day as we have for centuries.

The code of ethics is part of the foundation of nursing. Florence Nightingale is our inspiration to renew our commitment to remain dedicated to this journey:

Let us be anxious to do well, not for selfish praise but to honor and advance the cause, the work we have taken up. Let us value our training not as it makes us cleverer or superior to others, but inasmuch as it enables us to be more useful and helpful to our fellow creatures, the sick, who most want our help. Let it be our ambition to be good nurses, and never let us be ashamed of the name of 'nurse.'

Notes on Nursing: What It is, and What It is Not

Florence Nightingale, New York:   D. Appleton and Company (1898).

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