Neuropsychiatry RBN, OCN, ONN-CG
Educational History:
AS Aquinas College
ASN, Massasoit Community College
Board certified as an oncology nurse (OCN)
Board certified as an oncology nurse navigator certified generalist (ONN-CG)
Clinical Interests/Program Development:
Development:
Nurse Navigation
Oncology
Psychiatry
Brief Narrative:
I began my nursing career at Boston Medical Center working with HIV/AIDs patients. From there, I went on to work as an emergency room nurse at Brockton Hospital. When my husband and I lost three parents to cancer early in our marriage, I found a deep desire to return to the field of oncology. I then joined the critical care float pool/oncology teams at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. During this time, I also worked per diem as a psychiatric nurse at Pembroke Hospital. When our children went off to college, I joined the team at Commonwealth Oncology as a chemotherapy infusion oncology nurse followed by my time at the Dana Farber Cancer Center as an Oncology Nurse Navigator.
As a family member accompanying our parents to chemotherapy treatments, I found the lack of information provided to patients and family caused confusion. At times, this lack of information/education caused failure to follow through on treatment and appointments. Nurse navigation is a way to overcome that barrier to care. I found that spending time with the patients, when first diagnosed and educating them on their diagnoses provided the patients with a better understanding of their diagnosis and treatment plan. Having a nurse navigator as a point person throughout the care continuum, proved better compliance with care and follow-up care.
Working with Dr. Mendoza at the Dana Farber Cancer Center further increased my belief that patients across the continuum of care, with any diagnosis, all benefit from a nurse navigator on their team. I have co-published articles in peer reviewed nursing journals on the benefits of nurse navigation and how to create a nurse navigation program.
Research Interests:
Nurse navigation
Awards Received:
2013 Health Monitor Life Changer Award/Nurse Navigator
AONN’s Navigation & Survivorship Conference Memphis, TN
2018 Exemplary Professional Practice Award
“Presented to a nurse who demonstrates exemplary clinical
practice, uses innovative and creative approaches to achieve
quality outcomes, advocates for patients and families in all
activities, consistently provides compassionate and professional
nursing care for patients and families, and works collaboratively
with the interdisciplinary team”.
South Shore Health Care System South Weymouth, MA
Personal Interests/Hobbies:
I enjoy spending time with my husband and family consisting of four adult children, their partners, and our grandchildren. Our free time is spent bicycling, hiking, snowshoeing as well as designing and making quilts. Our future plans are for traveling and exploring Europe on our bicycles.