Chicago Nurse Angela McPhillips Joins Boca Beacon Team
UPDATE: Angela McPhillips, a dedicated nurse and educator from Chicago, has just joined the Boca Beacon and Gasparilla Magazine team, bringing her unique insights and experience to the publication. This exciting development was confirmed earlier today, highlighting her transition from a fulfilling nursing career to freelance writing.
McPhillips, a lifelong resident of Chicago, comes from a family rooted in public service. Her father served as a police officer for 25 years until his retirement in 2021, and her brother continues to serve as a firefighter. Her move to Florida was catalyzed by her family’s desire to explore new opportunities after her father’s retirement.
Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois Chicago, McPhillips began her career in a pediatric emergency room, where she became acutely aware of health disparities affecting inner-city children. “That job illuminated the lack of primary care,” McPhillips stated, reflecting on her early experiences in nursing.
She later pursued a Master of Science in Nursing and began working as a certified school nurse with Chicago Public Schools. “I was privileged to teach future nurses at UIC,” she added, emphasizing her commitment to community health. McPhillips established essential clinical experiences for nursing students, bridging classroom learning with real-world applications.
In February 2020, her life took a dramatic turn with the birth of her son, Liam, just weeks before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was a challenging time,” McPhillips noted, as she balanced motherhood and teaching amid unprecedented uncertainty. The pandemic prompted her to reassess her career, ultimately leading her to embrace freelance writing in health education.
Now residing in Port Charlotte, McPhillips has expanded her writing portfolio, contributing to health platforms like Everyday Health and a startup focused on infant gut health. Her involvement with the Boca Beacon and Gasparilla Magazine marks a new chapter in her professional journey, where she aims to deliver valuable health-related content to the community.
As a family, McPhillips, her husband Billy, and their two children, Liam and Evelyn, have embraced the vibrant Boca Grande lifestyle. “We love spending time outdoors and at the beach,” she shared, highlighting their commitment to family and community engagement.
With a growing clientele through their business, New Wave Window Cleaning, the McPhillips family is becoming a familiar presence in Boca Grande. Angela’s contributions to the Boca Beacon promise to enrich the publication with her firsthand experience in nursing and community health, making her an asset to the local audience.
Stay tuned for her upcoming articles that will shed light on health issues and community initiatives, as Angela McPhillips embarks on this exciting new venture. The community is eager to welcome her fresh perspective and expertise, ensuring that readers will be engaged with her compelling content moving forward.
