Cindy Y. Martinez-Kilgo FNP-BC
Owner of KilGlow Aesthetics LLC
Growing up in a predominantly Spanish household my family received our daily news from "Primer Impacto" on Univision. I was always so impressed with how professional, knowledgeable and stylish the news anchors were every day. Their work made me dream of being a news anchor, in particular on this televised program. From a young age I set out to make that dream come true. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism at UT-RGV in the Rio Grande Valley and I made my childhood dream a reality. I really enjoyed my work at first, but after a few years of working in the media I felt so empty. The work didn't feel as glamorous or vital as I thought it would as a child and young adult. I knew there was so much more I could be doing for my community. I made the decision to move back home with my parents to pursue a degree in nursing - a profession I knew would positively impact many lives for years to come. It fit my caring personality and I realized that I could bring as many smiles to faces every day, just in person and not through a TV screen.

Although it was a long road to earn all of my degrees and certifications in the nursing field, I am proud to say that I earned my Associate's in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), my Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC) and am currently enrolled in a certification through George Washington University. Those who know me tease me by stating “Are you ever going to be done with school?” My response is always “No way!” My family instilled in me a good work ethic and always told me that learning is a life-long process. As a healthcare provider, it is important to always seek further education on all that is new in the field. My nursing journey began in the Labor and Delivery Department in Reston, Virginia, where it was such a privilege to be part of such a life-changing moment for families. However, it was when I became a mother myself that I quickly realized 12-hour shifts did not satisfy my need to be more present at home. While I loved my work, I also searched for a job that would allow me to go back to school to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. I loved helping injured workers as a case manager and assessing Medicare patients as nurse practitioners. However, this is not the career I had envisioned when I became a nurse.