Joan Rhoa Named CBCN of the Year

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) has named Joan Rhoa, BSN, RN, OCN®, CBCN® the 2024 Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN®) of the Year. Rhoa is Clinical Nurse IV in the Women’s Center at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. 

Rhoa is being recognized for her achievements in breast care nursing practice, nursing service, and promotion of certification. 

Rhoa encourages her colleagues to be certified by hosting weekly certification classes in the Women’s Center and offering one-on-one mentoring. She also helps teach a CBCN® prep course, and volunteers to teach breast cancer risk factors/risk reduction at a local college. She is known in her facility as having a tireless advocacy for breast cancer awareness and education that has positively impacted the institution and wider community. Rhoa regularly educates nurses, patients, and students about breast care. In her daily role she focuses on patient education throughout the breast cancer journey (pre-surgical, pre-chemo, rehabilitation, and survivorship) so patients can make informed choices about their treatment.

According to Rhoa, “Receiving this award is one of the highlights of my thirty-two-year career helping care for oncology patients. I am grateful to the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation for recognizing and validating the unique contributions of breast care nurses around the world.”

Rhoa was presented with her award at the Recognition Breakfast for Oncology Certified Nurses on April 26 in Washington, DC, during the ONS Congress. 

ONCC provides the premier, nationally accredited certifications for registered nurses in oncology and related specialties. Certification promotes health and safety by validating competence and ensuring lifelong learning in these fields. More than 40,000 nurses are certified by ONCC in adult oncology, pediatric hematology oncology, breast care, or blood and marrow transplant nursing.