Philosophy of Care: "I believe my role is to help patients and their families understand as much as possible about their heart disease and what can be done to improve their quality of life."

Deidra chose a career in health care because she wanted to make a real difference in people's lives. She worked several corporate administrative jobs before realizing it was not her true passion. Deidra feels that she “did not choose cardiology as a specialty, but that it chose her.” Regardless, she loves the field of heart failure because of the many treatments and options available to patients.

Deidra always keeps the patient at the center of her work. Her goal is to get to know her patients as people, not just as heart patients. She wants to “be by their side through difficult times and listen to their concerns.”

Deidra grew up in the Peoria area and lives on a hobby farm with horses. She is married with three sons and six grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys cut flower gardening and watercolor painting.