Mariajelyn Engelhardt-Parales, DHA, NP-C

Dr. Maria Jelyn Engelhardt-Parales or "Dr. Jey" as she preferred to be addressed, started her nursing career later in life. She worked in various airline industries like Aero Lloyd, Lufthansa, Pakistan Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Pan American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and United Airlines in the 1980's till 1994. After the Berlin wall came down, her husband's military unit was transferred back to the CONUS. She worked briefly with Alaska Airlines in SEATAC. She finally decided to retire from her airline career and decided to go back to college to pursue nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master's degree with a specialty in Nursing Education from the University of Phoenix UoP with Honors. While working on her Doctorate Degree in Health Administration, Dr. Jey was also pursuing a Post-Master's Degree in Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program at Maryville University in St. Louis, MO. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in December 2020 with a GPA of 3.77. She earned her Doctor of Health Administration degree from the UoP with honors and a GPA of 3.93.
Dr. Jey is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and The ARNPs United of Washington State. She enjoys writing and taking care of patients alike.
Dr. Jey worked in different areas of specialties such as nursing homes, urgent care units, outpatient surgery clinics, critical care units, mental health, and forensics. She is also a certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse with ANCC certification.
Dr. Jey is married for 38 years to an Army Veteran and has two grown children in the United States Marine Corps. Aside from Academics, she is an avid supporter of the Humane Society. Her spare time revolves around walking the dogs and gardening. She was also a Zumba instructor and goes out dancing with her husband once a month at their favorite hangout place, pre-COVID-19. During the pandemic, she converted one of her son's rooms into a gym, and she enjoys cuddling and watching movies at home.