From Healthcare to AI: My Journey into Tech and What I Learned Along the Way

If you had told me a few years ago that I would transition from healthcare to technology and become an AI and Cloud Solutions Architect, I would have laughed and laughed. I didn't know how to code, I could barely figure out how to stream a TV show back in 2010 and I was a late adapter to Netflix, joining only in 2013. A far cry from a technologically Savy person. Yet, here I am— an AI and Cloud Solutions Architect, training people daily on advanced technologies, speaking at conferences and building complex AI systems. 

This journey wasn’t straightforward, but it was filled with lessons, growth, and surprising discoveries and I'd like to share some with you. 

Lesson 1: Embrace the Pivot Ask Yourself: What skills from your current role could translate into a completely different field? 

From Nurse to Entrepreneur: The BeBaby Chapter 

My professional life began in healthcare. At first, I was an intensive care unit nurse until I transitioned to the private fields where I specialized in biological treatments and epigenetics. My day to day was focused on real-life problems experienced by patients as well as the reality of keeping a business alive and well, a rare marriage of knowledge. That drive and my research in epigenetics led me to create BeBaby, a parenting consulting company designed to empower families with support and education during critical early years. 

Running BeBaby was an incredible experience—it taught me leadership, resilience, and the art of balancing empathy with strategy. But it also revealed my growing interest in systems and processes. I started noticing how technology could streamline workflows, improve outcomes, and enhance connections. 

As a mother of FIVE children who ran a company, my time was my most precious commodity. Anything I could do to make my work more efficient was something I was interested in. However, as the type A that I was, I never found any software that truly fit the bill for me, so I did what any crazy type A does: I started building my own software. Due to my real-life experience in business and healthcare, I created software that wasn't just 'fun' at a technical level but solved real-life problems and my staff could use. 

Lesson 2: Every Chapter Has Tools for the Next Ask Yourself: Are you leveraging your past experiences to build a better foundation for your next chapter? 

Taking a Leap with Power Platform 

My flirtation with technology came about when I met my then neighbor, Sharon Weaver. What started as an innocent friendship between two busy ladies who went to get sushi and pedicures on Friday quickly turned into sushi hosted business discussions. 

Sharon, being the CEO of Smarter Consulting, has been in tech for 30 years after a short stint in healthcare herself and she has a knack for finding people who have potential for success in technology. It didn't take long for her to start dropping subtle (not subtle at all) hints that she thought I'd be great in the tech world. 

I gave it a first try by studying power platform and writing the Power Platform Certification exam PL-900. Within a week I had studied the Microsoft Learn Path and passed my exam. 

And most importantly? I LOVED every minute of it. 

What I discovered was that my love of learning, my ability to learn quickly, and my tendency to visually see software architecture in my mind were all extremely practical skills in the world of technology. 

Lesson 3: Start Small, Dream Big Ask Yourself: What’s one small step you can take today towards exploring something new? 

Finding Sharon: A Mentor Changes the Game 

After my fun little trip down the Power Platform Lane, the idea of considering tech as a new industry for me started making sense. After all, I had been slowly but surely turning BeBaby into a self-operating machine. That being said I had doubts, I believed that to be in tech you had to learn how to code at the age of 5. 

When Sharon took the role of mentor with me (and friend of course) she taught me that any intelligent person with relevant experience, a thirst for learning and a willingness to work hard can find a place in technology. It was all about finding your 'niche' or your 'zone'. 

As opportunities kept flooding into her inbox, she began examining them to determine what might be my first steppingstone into tech. It didn't take long before she presented me with my first opportunity. 

Having a mentor enables me to ask questions, seek guidance, see the road ahead more clearly and be presented with opportunities I otherwise may not have. 

Lesson 4: Find Your Guide Ask Yourself: Who do you look up to, and have you reached out to them for guidance? 

Falling Head Over Heels for AI 

While I started with Power Platform, I didn't stop there. Within 6 months I had earned: 

1. Power Platform Fundamentals 
2. Microsoft 365 Fundamentals 
3. Azure Fundamentals 
4. Azure AI Fundamentals 
5. AI Python Developer 
6. Azure AI Engineer 

I dove headfirst into certifications, projects, and real-world implementations. I was 'dating' the technology industry to find my one true love and that's when AI and me, fell head over heels! 

AI came easy to me, the possibilities were clear in my mind, the architecture of cloud-based solutions self-draw themselves before my eyes and nothing gets me more excited than a 'problem' with an AI build. My experience in healthcare, business, software development and my ability to 'see' things made AI easy for me to learn. 

What excited me the most was everything AI could do for businesses, healthcare, and individuals. My focus is on real-life impacts of AI built with a Cloud first approach. 

Lesson 5: Follow Your Curiosity Ask Yourself: What topic or area lights you up, and how can you dive deeper into it? 

Turning Lessons into a Roadmap for Others 

Today, I stand here not just as someone who transitioned into tech, but as someone who believes others can do the same. I have spent a decade helping parents learn about health, parenting, infant sleep and so on while teaching my staff the science of critical care, sales, business and more. 

I like teaching! So, it only made sense that I created this blog to share my journey with you and hopefully teach you a few things along the way. 

Transitioning into tech isn’t about erasing your past—it’s about building on it. Every experience, skill, and connection are steppingstones. 

Lesson 6: You Belong Here Ask Yourself: Are you holding back because of self-doubt, or are you ready to claim your space? 

Let’s Take the Next Step Together 

Your journey doesn’t have to be a solo one. That’s why we’ve built Smarter Mentor—a subscription-based program designed to guide you through your very first Microsoft Certification and your 'dating' of technology. 

Whether you're eyeing your first Microsoft certification, curious about AI, or ready to dive into cloud solutions, Smarter Mentor is your roadmap. 

Start your tech journey today. Let’s carve this path together. 

👉 Register Now at Smarter Mentor