About Dr. Irina
Caregiving has been my whole life
I came to the United States from Ukraine at 17 and started my journey as an ESL student at the Community College of Baltimore County. Years later I became a nurse, a nurse practitioner, an entrepreneur, a healthcare executive, and earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice from Johns Hopkins University.
Caregiving has been part of my life from the beginning. I grew up in a multigenerational family where supporting parents, grandparents, and extended relatives was part of everyday life. I became a member of the Sandwich Generation long before I knew the term.
I have lived the overwhelm, the guilt, the pressure, and the love that come with caring for two generations at once. I raised two daughters, cared for my aging family members, ran businesses, and tried to hold everything together. Over time, spirituality became my anchor and helped me find peace in the middle of it all.
Today I write, teach, and speak to help other caregivers and clinicians feel seen and supported. My mission is simple: I want people to know that they are not alone, and that with the right tools and mindset, they can thrive.