Maureen Pelletier Named OCN of the Year

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) announces Maureen Collins Pelletier, BSN, RN, OCN® as the 2024 Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) of the Year. Pelletier, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is Sr. Manager of Key Accounts at Foundation Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts.

Pelletier is being recognized for achievements in oncology nursing practice, nursing service, and promotion of certification. 

More than fifteen years ago Pelletier pioneered the first navigation program in her workplace. Since then she created a nurse-driven Oncology High Risk Genetics Program that has been adopted by hospitals and medical practices across her state. Pelletier has a strong commitment to helping people with cancer. She is the co-creator of the Thrive Cooperative Center for Wellness – a nonprofit, comprehensive cancer support center in Fairfield County, Connecticut, that offers physical, emotional, and social support to people with cancer. She founded a community food bank and helped form the Swim Across the Sound fundraiser to provide assistance to people living with cancer. More recently, she created Nursing Strong, a Facebook group that provides peer support to 17,000 nurse members. Pelletier promotes certification by providing OCN® review assistance and educational programs to help nurses maintain their certification. 

According to Pelletier, “Oncology nursing has been my passion for 20+ years, I believe in caring for oncology patients and fellow oncology nurses alike. I also know that who I am as an oncology nurse was completely shaped by my colleagues, fellow oncology nurses, who have mentored, collaborated, and shared in critical patient experiences, allowing me to flourish in this profession I love.”

Pelletier was presented with the award at the ONCC 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.