Question: How long have you been with HonorHealth?
Answer: I’ve been with HonorHealth for 20 years, and 10 of those years have been with the Research Institute in Oncology. Over that time, I’ve grown from working in the oncology infusion area to becoming an Oncology Research Nurse. For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Supervisor, currently leading our Oncology Continuing Care teams and Nurse Navigation team within the research clinic.
Q: At what point in your early life did you decide you wanted to go into a career in research?
A: I’ve known since childhood that I wanted to work in healthcare. The defining moment came in college when I witnessed the compassionate, coordinated care provided to my great-grandmother at the end of her life. Watching the impact that skilled and empathetic clinicians had on her comfort and dignity solidified my decision to become a nurse and dedicate my career to making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.
My interest in research developed later in my nursing career as I became increasingly drawn to oncology. Through a colleague who worked in clinical trials, I was introduced to the research environment—and from the moment I began, I knew I had found the right path. Research allowed me to pair my clinical background with a forward-looking approach to cancer care. Being part of the teams that bring emerging therapies to patients—often giving them hope when options are limited—has been profoundly rewarding.
What inspires me most is knowing that by supporting patients in clinical trials, we not only impact their lives today, but also contribute to discoveries that will help future patients. That sense of purpose is what continues to fuel my commitment to a career in research.
Q: What is a work-related accomplishment you are proud of?
A: I am most proud of the work I did to strengthen collaboration and continuity of care across our Oncology Nurse Navigation and Intake teams, as well as the patient care teams within our clinic. I partnered closely with my Nurse Navigation colleagues and the Oncology intake and medical records teams to design and implement a new care‑team model. In this model, each Nurse Navigator is paired with dedicated intake and medical records partners, creating a cohesive unit aligned with specific research POD physician teams.
This structure has transformed how our teams work together. By clearly connecting each care‑team to their corresponding POD providers, team members can now see how their roles contribute to the patient journey as a whole. It has fostered more meaningful communication, improved shared decision‑making, and strengthened collaboration between navigation, intake, medical records, and clinical teams. Ultimately, this model enhances continuity of care for our patients, ensuring that every step—from intake to navigation to the research clinic—is integrated, coordinated, and patient‑centered.
Q: Why is it so important to encourage younger and diverse groups to pursue a career in research?
A: Encouraging younger and more diverse groups to pursue careers in research is vital because healthcare’s future depends on fresh perspectives and representation that mirrors the patients we serve. Younger professionals bring new ideas and comfort with evolving technology, while diversity ensures a wider range of experiences and insights shape the questions we ask and the treatments we develop. This leads to more equitable, effective research. As therapies advance, we need a research workforce ready to drive progress by strengthening innovation and improving the care, quality of life, and hope we can offer patients now and in the future.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?
A: A little bit about me—I’m a country girl at heart, born in Colorado and raised in Wyoming, and happiest when I’m surrounded by mountains and fresh air. Outside of work, my world revolves around my three kids, who are truly the apples of my eye. They keep me on my toes and constantly on the go, usually from one baseball or softball field to the next. If I’m not at the clinic, there’s a good chance I’m cheering from the bleachers somewhere.
