Courtney Danielle Grassham was born and raised in Waco, Texas. She began her health care career as a candy stripe junior volunteer. After graduating with her BSN in May 2005 she came to New Mexico as a travel NICU nurse. That 3-month travel contract changed her life. She became a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner in 2007 and since then, has served New Mexico families, initially at UNMH, and now at Presbyterian Hospital. She serves on the board of Lexiam Heart Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at helping families affected by congenital heart defects in the state of New Mexico. She re-entered the education realm because she saw a need for more behavioral/mental health care providers who could help both the parents who came through the NICU and the families of children with complex medical needs. She is currently in the Post Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at UNM College of Nursing.