Bethany Cunningham Named 2025 Oncology Certified Nurse of the Year
Pittsburgh, PA, April 16, 2025 – The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC®) has named Bethany Cunningham, BSN, OCN®, ONN-CG, as the 2025 Oncology Certified Nurse of the Year. Cunningham is a Nurse Navigator at Brown University Health Cancer Institute at Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.
Cunningham is being recognized for her achievements in oncology nursing practice, nursing service, and promotion of certification.
Cunningham, an experienced OCN, has spent two decades training, educating nurses and patients, and advocating for nurse certification. She guides nurses through the application and test preparation process, mentors various healthcare professionals, and educates patients and families throughout their treatment. Her efforts have improved relations and communication in oncology care. As chair of the Patient Family Advocacy Council, she works to enhance patient experiences and serves on various committees. Additionally, she co-founded Tour de Rhody, a bike race fundraiser that has raised over $600,000 to provide cancer clinical trials locally.
According to Cunningham, “I am overwhelmed with gratitude and deeply honored to be chosen as the recipient of this award. It is a testament to the unwavering support from my family and the amazing group of people I work with every day – my work family. I’d like to thank them for their support, encouragement, and recognition. Without them I would not be here today.”
Cunningham was presented with her award during the ONCC Recognition Breakfast for Oncology Certified Nurses on April 11 in Denver, Colorado, 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 41,000 nurses are certified by ONCC in adult oncology, pediatric hematology oncology, breast care, or blood and marrow transplant nursing. Learn more at www.oncc.org.