What is your role at OSC? Nurse Practitioner, FNP-C
What is your Educational Background? I graduated from UNC-Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. I have worked in nursing for 21 years. After many of those years, I went back to school to get my master’s degree in nursing and my certification as a nurse practitioner from the University of South Carolina
What is your path working in healthcare? Or why did you choose to work in Oncology? I worked for 10 years in pediatric oncology and pediatric stem cell transplant. I have also worked in ER, labor & delivery, and five years as an administrative house supervisor. I worked all over the Carolinas at various hospitals and teaching medical facilities such as Duke, Atrium, and MUSC. While my children were in school I transitioned to the role of the full-time school nurse. When I went back to school for my nurse practitioner program, I knew that oncology was were I wanted to be!
Do you have a specific cancer or blood disease that you feel a personal connection or that strikes you as aninteresting path of care? With the majority of my background being in pediatrics, I learn new things daily about adult cancers. I have a particular interest in lung cancer and colon cancer as it has personally affected special people in my life. I have also enjoyed learning about multiple myeloma and plasma cell disorders
What was the last thing you were researching on the Internet? Macrocytosis, an elevated MCV count in a blood test can indicate larger red blood cells
What travel destination do you have on your bucket list? Europe. My brother lived in Italy and Germany and had wonderful stories of his experiences there. Because my children were babies then, I was unable to travel to see him while he was there. I hope to one day take my family to explore Europe together!
What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries! I live across from a strawberry patch and love getting fresh berries!
