Rickels mirrors that passion and has always had a drive to care for others. Her journey started early where she volunteered as a teen at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in a Knoxville, TN, where her mother worked and engaged her in the program. This introduction to the medical field led her to pursue her education to first become a Registered Nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, then she went on to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

“I love partnering with children and their families to identify their needs, provide education, and develop strategies to help them achieve their goals,” said Rickels. “I’m always amazed at how resilient children are and I find so much joy in watching them grow. I feel honored to be a part of their journey.”

Rickels is a Certified Lactation Specialist, offering assistance to help breastfeeding mothers with a variety of issues. “I want to be a helpful resource for mothers, preparing them for a successful nursing journey through clinical breastfeeding counseling and management,” said Rickels.

Rickels obtained her Master of Science in Nursing – Pediatric Concentration at University of Tennessee, (Knoxville, TN) and her Bachelor of Nursing at Tennessee Wesleyan College, (Athens, TN). Rickels resides in Weber City, VA with her husband, son and two dogs. She enjoys hiking, and camping. She also enjoys creating crafts and cute clothes for her son.