2015 - May - "Fertility before and after breast cancer"

I earned both my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania.  My master’s program was in Health Care of Women and after graduation I earned my national certification as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from the NCC (National Certification Corporation).  I have always been passionate about women’s health issues and have worked many settings such as labor and delivery, family planning, infertility and gynecologic oncology.  I have worked as a nurse practitioner in GYN oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center since 2006.  I truly love working here.  I have worked in many settings and have never experienced an atmosphere that is so patient focused.  I really appreciate the resources we have at Fox Chase including our risk assessment program. 

I currently have independent clinics where I see a variety of patients.  I care for our GYN oncology patients after treatment and in a survivorship setting.  I also provide GYN care for other patient populations such as breast and GI cancer patients who have GYN needs.  We also see patients with pre-invasive cervical lesions and I perform colposcopy along with our physicians.   I also see patients for routine care as well as to help with side effects from treatment including menopausal symptoms.  Another role I perform here is the oncofertility coordinator for Fox Chase.  I help any patient of reproductive age learn options for fertility preservation prior to, during and after treatment.  Soon I will spend 50% of my time working in our clinical genetics department as a nurse practitioner.  I will be working with a very wonderful and experienced nurse practitioner, Agnes Masny.  I will work directly with the genetics counselors during disclosure sessions.  I will also see patients in clinic who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.  We are also considering a program for women with Lynch syndrome.  I am very excited for the opportunity to work with our excellent risk assessment program.  For me, attending the City of Hope Intensive program would help me in my goal of learning as much as possible about genetics so I can provide excellent care to our patients and help me contribute to our risk assessment program.