Spotlight on Staff for February is our Nurse Practitioner Brooke, FNP-C, OCN. Brooke started out working at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte 9 years ago as an RN Infusion Nurse. She went back to school and became a NP and started working with our patients in clinical workup 2 ½ years ago. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Pittsburgh in the area where she is from. Then she obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing BSN at Queens University. She then obtained her OCN, Oncology Certified Nursing before getting her master’s in nursing from George Washington University. Brooke enjoys running, yoga, baking, outdoors adventures, skiing, and playing classical piano. Her favorite charity is Loaves & Fishes. She said she was impelled to get into nursing, and specifically oncology after her mother’s journey with breast cancer when she was in college. Her mother’s cancer treatments of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy regimens were an inspiration as well as how her mother beat the cancer! Picture here is Brooke, her husband and their 2 children.
What is your name?
Brooke
What is your role at OSC?
Nurse Practitioner. For a number of years I was an RN, Infusion Nurse at OSC and then I obtained my OCN certification, which is an Oncology Certified Nurse. I left OSC to complete my master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner and had 2 babies during that time. After completing my NP education and internships, I came back to OSC and joined the NP team where I now see patients in clinic workup. I’m very happy to be back.
What is your Educational Background?
I received my bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Pittsburgh. I grew up about an hour and half from the city in a small town. After moving to Charlotte, I obtained my Bachelor of Nursing degree, BSN, from Queens University and my master’s degree in nursing, FNP, at George Washington University.
Why did you choose to work in Healthcare and/or Oncology/Hematology?
I was impelled to get into healthcare. After college I was an assistant in the cancer research department at UPMC- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Oncology was always in my mind as I saw my mother’s journey with breast cancer when I was in college. She went through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy regimens to battle the cancer. She is doing great today!
What are your hobbies and interests?
Running, Yoga, baking, outdoors adventures, skiing, and playing classical piano. Live music is my favorite, and my husband and I go camping at Merlefest music festival every year.
What is your favorite charity?
Loaves & Fishes
Who is your favorite singer or band? Avett Brothers
Beach or Mountains?
Mountains. My family and I enjoy the nature, hiking, and the cooler weather.
If you were to go to medical school and become a doctor, what type of medical doctor would you be?
An oncologist, of course! But I am really in my place for healthcare. As a nurse practitioner, I can serve our patients in need and make a difference in their cancer journey.
What was your favorite cartoon or show as a child?
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Mr. Rogers, is also from the Pittsburgh area.
published: Feb. 1, 2022, 9:34 a.m.