Houston, Texas

I was a nursing assistant for 18 years before becoming a nurse in 2015 through an online degree program. My nursing career started in Radiation Oncology. I transitioned to the Oncology Nurse Navigator role in 2021. Outside of work I volunteer for my church's health ministry and work in the community to address cancer health disparities among African Americans. I served as Treasurer for the Houston Chapter Oncology Nursing Society and begin my term as President in 2023. My ONCC certification shows my patients that I am dedicated to providing the best care possible by continuously receiving education, testing, and training in oncology.

Winston-Salem, NC

I started my nursing career, after graduating from an ADN program, in an acute care leukemia and bone marrow transplant unit. Over the last 25 years, I have worked in a variety of oncology settings including rural satellite clinics. In 2007 my mother was diagnosed with cancer and our 3.5-year journey made me fully appreciate the challenges faced by our patients, caregivers, and their healthcare teams. Our experience inspired me to further my education and seek leadership roles and opportunities that would help remove barriers to improved patient outcomes and nursing professional growth. When not working and volunteering, I enjoy hiking and spending time with my three daughters and their growing families.

Portland, ME

I have been an oncology RN for over 11 years with experience in inpatient oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, infusion nursing, and nurse navigation. In my current role as a nursing supervisor in outpatient medical oncology I strive to support, coach, and lead my team to success every day. I am currently working on finishing my MSN with a focus in Nursing Leadership & Management. As an oncology nursing leader, I strive to foster respect and equitable care for all patients and peers. As a new member of the ONCC Board of Directors, I hope to continue to propel the strong legacy of integrity and excellence that ONCC so gracefully demonstrates. I hope to inspire a new generation of oncology RNs from all backgrounds and walks of life to continue to pursue life-long learning, innovation, and advocacy. Outside of work my daughter and I enjoy being outdoors, boating in the Summer months, Boston Bruins hockey, country concerts, & reading.

Detroit, MI

I have been providing oncology care for over 25 years. I currently work in downtown Detroit at a cancer center where we see many different populations of patients with the goal of providing award-winning care to everyone that walks through our door. I have been oncology certified for over 20 years and promote certification for all oncology nurses as a way of showing compassion and commitment to their profession. I enjoy learning more about my patients—their culture and specific needs. Being a nurse means being a lifelong learner. We are constantly learning about our patients and the best ways to provide them with excellent care.  

Beaverton, OR

I started my nursing career 38 years ago working nights on a mixed unit that included pediatric oncology. I gravitated toward the children and families with serious illnesses and when I attended graduate school, spent time learning about hospice and palliative care as well as oncology. My favorite role as an advanced practice nurse is being a mentor. A colleague and I started our pediatric oncology local chapter in 2000 and I have held a number of positions locally and nationally. I volunteer at a local children's shelter and am a reader at a local grade school.  

Morristown, NJ

I started my nursing career, after graduating from a diploma program, working on an inpatient oncology unit. Over the last 30+years, I have worked in a variety of oncology settings and roles including infusion, clinics, navigation, education, and leadership. I struggled but persisted and eventually obtained a BSN, MSN, and most recently my DNP. My first experience with volunteering for ONCC began in 2010 as an item writer and then in 2012 as an ONCC Test Development Committee Member. 

As a member of the ONCC Board of Directors and a Nurse Leader, I encourage oncology nurses to commit to professional development, strive towards clinical excellence, obtain certification and share their experiences so we can continue to improve outcomes and care for our patients with cancer. 

Arlington, VA

While I am not an oncology nurse, I have spent over two decades working in health care policy and advocacy, representing the interests of patient advocacy organizations, nursing, and pharmacy organizations (including the Oncology Nursing Society), and coalitions in the cancer space. As the Public Member on the ONCC Board of Directors, I look forward to providing a new perspective to the board and will be able to view topics through a different lens. Through my own personal experience as a cancer caregiver, I have developed an appreciation and support of having certified oncology nurses. With the ever-evolving cancer landscape, ongoing education and certification for oncology nurses is critically important for health and safety of cancer patients. I also currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Martin Truex Jr Foundation, founded by NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr, focusing on ovarian and pediatric cancer. When not working, you can find me on the sidelines of the soccer field with my two teenage daughters, spending time with my young son, and traveling with my wife.

Long Beach, CA

While I am not an oncology nurse, I have been an RN for 40 years.  For 38 years, I worked adult ICU nursing (at least part time) and became a full-time faculty member in 1998, but I couldn’t stop getting my ICU fix!  Currently, I am a Professor and the Director of the School of Nursing at California State University Long Beach.  I have extensive experience in item writing and test development.  Regrettably, I have had many opportunities to provide care to family members with many types of cancer (breast, prostate, pancreatic, etc) and have truly appreciated the knowledge and expertise needed by oncology nurses.  I served as the President of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in 2001-2002 and served on the AACN Certification Corporation board as well.  I also currently serve on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 

Kansas City, MO

I have been a nurse for 28 years and a nurse practitioner for 24. I was inspired to go into oncology when I watched my grandfather slowly die from lung cancer in the 80's and there was basically nothing that could be done. I then read Peggy Anderson's book, "Children's Hospital" and knew pediatric oncology was what I wanted to do. I have had the opportunity to work in many hospitals throughout the country as a RN and then as an NP in oncology (inpatient care, hospitalist, emergency, and now outpatient pediatrics). The changes I have seen throughout pediatric oncology are just astounding. Cancer does not discriminate, and it is our job to provide equitable, compassionate care and treasure the opportunities to care for all families from all over the world. When I am not working, I teach FNP/ANP/PNP students at the local university and work with our local street medicine program. I am also a nurse consultant for a pediatric oncology program in Cambodia. For fun, I hang out with my dogs, train for triathlons, and enjoy my downtime. 

Des Moines, IA

I have been an oncology nurse my entire 39 - year career of being a nurse. I started on the adult oncology unit and then transferred to Blank Children’s Hospital’s pediatric oncology unit, working both the inpatient and clinic side of things. When I got married, I relocated to the University of Iowa’s Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. I have worked as an oncology infusion nurse, a radiation therapy center/gamma knife nurse, and in a center for breast health while pursuing my Masters in Health Care Administration. I served on the OCN ILNA Development Committee in the years preceding the COVID pandemic and developed some lifelong relationships with that team. In the last 20 years I have been in leadership as a unit director/manager of an inpatient adult medical oncology unit. Working with teams and encouraging their professional growth to include becoming certified has been one of the most rewarding roles in this job. We wish no one to have to walk through our doors, but admit our lives are blessed daily by those who cross our paths. They remind us what is important in life, and to cherish relationships with those important to us. Becoming a member of the ONCC board of directors has been a bucket filler to say the least, and I look forward to the work we will accomplish. It is truly humbling to be at the table making decisions that I know will impact the care our nurses provide and the outcomes of those we have been called to serve. Outside of work I can be found gardening and canning, baking and cooking in my kitchen, golfing, playing my trumpet for church, always have a book I am reading, attending sporting events of family members, and time with my 2 grown sons and family. 

Chief Executive Officer
Oncology Nursing Society
Pittsburgh, PA

Executive Director
ONCC
Concord Twp, OH

I have been in association management (including certification and professional development programming) for more than 30 years. Since joining ONCC in 2019, I have enjoyed learning about the important work and critical role oncology nurses play in the care of patients with cancer. I strive to keep ONCC’s programs current and relevant to your professional performance and to maintain the highest standards for the service we provide to our applicants, candidates, and certified nurses. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening (flowers versus vegetables), theater, and movies.