Hi! I am thrilled to be speaking to my fellow Advanced Practice colleagues at this year's BinayTara Oncology Nursing Summit. 

My initial education and certification in Family Practice provided a strong foundation for my initial years of Advanced Practice Nursing. A thrilling opportunity to explore Oncology arose, and with the power of hindsight, I recognize the move to this field as kismet and yes, a calling. I received my undergraduate and graduate training in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, a border city with Detroit, Michigan. My early career was busy with concurrent employment on both sides of the border. I  moved to Washington state to join a Comprehensive Cancer Center team in 2018. In 2020, I sought out ONCC specialty certification as an AOCNP and to participate as faculty at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University. I enjoy the ability to combine my nursing intuition with an ever-evolving high level skill set, the fast pace of growth and change within this specialty, and the impact of developing relationships with people at a critical time during their health journey.  For me, Oncology Advanced Practice is a perfect fit and I am grateful for the opportunity to build a career here and to contribute to my patients, colleagues, the next generation of practitioners, and the field. I currently work in Medical Oncology for North Puget Oncology at Skagit Regional Cancer Care Center in Mount Vernon, WA. I have a wonderful husband, (also a nurse!), a lovely but terrifying two year old daughter, and two rowdy German Shepherd champions. Thank you for having me!