In December 2023, what started as a regular day taking my beautiful dog, Remi, to the dog park became a day that changed my life.

I started feeling a little off—a mild headache and discomfort in my upper back that I brushed off as a pinched nerve. As the day went on, I developed chest pain that felt like heartburn, pain in my left arm, cold sweats, and eventually vomiting. Even then, I convinced myself there had to be another explanation.

I was having a heart attack.

The next night, I had another heart attack, and doctors discovered a 100% blockage in my LAD artery. I am incredibly grateful to be here today and thankful for the lifesaving care I received from Duke Hospital and its cardiac team.

My experience taught me to listen to my body and gave me a reason to share my story, particularly with women, whose heart attack symptoms can be different and are not always what we expect.

Working at the Duke University School of Nursing gives this even deeper meaning. Every day, I see our students preparing to care for patients like me and our faculty advancing work that improves health and saves lives. I know firsthand just how much that work matters.

This year, my team is Ikigai Vibe. Rooted in my Japanese heritage, ikigai is the idea of finding meaning and purpose in life—a reason to get up each day. As a heart attack survivor, that purpose feels especially personal.

I walk with gratitude. I walk to raise awareness. I walk for the healthcare professionals who save lives and those preparing to become the next generation of them.

Most importantly, I walk because I know that with every step, I am helping save lives.

That is my purpose. That is my Ikigai Vibe.