Phoenix Oncology Nursing Society- 2016 Board of Directors Nominees
President-elect
Korinne Ashlock
Background:
I have been a nurse for 14 years. The first few years of my career
were spent in Med-Surg working to increase and perfect my skill
set. The World of Oncology terrified me as I have been deeply
affected by watching my older brother battle Leukemia at the age
of 21. In 2006 I was encouraged by a great manager to give
Oncology a try and have been here ever since. I worked inpatient
Oncology at Banner Estrella for 7 years and am now a Care Manger
at Cancer Treatment Centers of America where I have been for
nearly 3 years. I was awarded the Cherokee comfort award in
2012 for my work with community education and promotion of
bone marrow donation. I am currently in school for my BSN. I
volunteer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and Be the
Match to advocate and raise money for patients
Vision/Goals for PONS:
If elected I would like to expand the PONS network and hold more
educational meetings all over the valley, especially the northwest
and west valley. I would like to have more community education
meetings and utilize the skills of the PONS members to educate
and provide cancer awareness in the community. I plan to
encourage PONS to offer more education in genomics and
symptom management for some of the newer oncologic agents. I
would like to strengthen the bond with leading oncology centers to
bring in highly qualified educational speakers. A long term goal is
to expose more Oncology nurses to PONS and encourage
membership and involvement. I plan to do my very best to
represent this chapter and what PONS stands for on all levels.
Monica Fulk
Background:
I started my career in nursing as a CNA in home health. While
continuing my nursing education and working as a CNA, I worked
primarily with oncology patients. My passion caring for oncology
patients, continued thought out my educational experience. I
began working at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn on the Oncology
Unit while I was an LPN. I remained working in Oncology at
Scottsdale Healthcare after being licensed as a RN. In 2008 I
transitioned over to the Virginia G Piper Cancer Center in Clinical
Trials as a Research Nurse. While working in outpatient research I
received my OCN. Our clinic received accommodations for over 90
percent of our nursing staff receiving their OCN certification.
I am an Arizona native and have watched the valley grow to
become one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Nation. Along
with the population growth came much needed growth in the
Medical community. The Virginia G Piper Cancer Center has
become one of the leading Centers in the “Cure Corridor”. I am
proud to be part of that achievement. I look forward to staying
active in the Oncology community. I served as the PONS secretary
in 2014 and am currently sitting on the scholarship nomination
committee. I assisted with the Fall Symposium and am familiar
with the workings of PONS.
Vision and Goals for PONS:
If elected as PONS president for 2017 I would like to facilitate
growth of our membership and encourage nurses to move forward
in their professional education and leadership skills. We are all
leaders and educators and should be encouraged to give to our
community and our profession.
Director-at-Large Elect
Patricia Shannon
Background:
I am a Research Nurse Coordinator at Pinnacle Oncology
Hematology. I have been a PONS member since moving to the
valley in 1999. I enjoy being able to mentor to my fellow nurses.
Vision/Goals for PONS:
I would like to expand our membership base to the community
offices. I would like to develop programs that encourage oncology
nurses to engage and participate in our programs so that we have
a more diverse membership. My goal would be to have something
for everyone!
Vincent Zomok
Background:
Northern Arizona Universit y/Grand Canyon University Graduate.
Banner Estrella- Heme/Oncology Nurse for 3 years/ Clinical
Management (Ortho, Med/Surg, Telemetry, ONC)for 1 year.
Mayo Clinic- Heme/Oncology Nurse, BMT.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America- Radiation Oncology Nursing
Care Mangement.
Currently working with Cancer Treatment Centers of America
gaining understanding of chemotherapy, specializing in radiation
therapy and patient management.
Daisy Award Winner 2013/2014 for 5B/5East Oncology
Department.
Active Captains for Light the Night, Relay for Life, Lungevity,
LungForce.
Vision/Goals for PONS:
Meetings that I have had the pleasure to attend, often focus more
on chemotherapy (infusions, oral medications, hormonal therapy).
I would like to offer chances for nurses to see the radiation side of
oncology as well. Multiple treatment modalities encompass
radiation in combination, or prior/post treatment.
West Valley seems to be limited on the amount of meetings
offered. I would like to create a balance of meetings offered not
only for East Valley, but state wide. Our hospitals are so diverse
and widespread over Arizona, each Oncology Nurse deserves the
chance to attend meetings to further their education.
Lastly, I’d like to talk with the nurses PONS directly encompasses.
Determine what it is they want to see more of, learn more about.
Healthcare and education are a business just like any other. If we
want the product to heard and understood, we have to know the
clientele.
Secretary
Megan Baker
Background:
Hi! My name is Megan Baker and I have been an Oncology Nurse
since graduating from Grand Canyon University in 2010. I work at
Banner Health as a Clinical Education Specialist for Oncology
Education. I develop and execute education throughout the
Banner Health System as well as cover onboarding and education
for the staff nurses at Banner University Medical Center Inpatient
Oncology, Palliative Care, and Outpatient Infusion. I absolutely
love being an Oncology Nurse!
Vision/Goals for PONS:
I believe my professional and personal goals align perfectly with
the vision of the Oncology Nursing Society; to lead the
transformation of cancer care. As a Clinical Education Specialist, I
study the most recent evidence-based research and develop
education upon industry recommendations for standards of care.
As one of our chapter goals include generating and disseminating
knowledge for oncology nursing professionals, I welcome the
opportunity to guide the professional development of oncology
nurses. It provides me great satisfaction in acting as a mentor and
resource for new and experienced oncology nurses alike, eager to
provide the best care to our Oncology population.
Kelley Jacobsen
Background:
This year is my 20th anniversary as an RN. After earning my BSN in
Nursing at Grand Canyon University in 1995 I worked as a medicalsurgical nurse and then in a variety of different settings such as
hospice, disease management and in the last few years as a care
manager for an insurance company which I enjoy very much. I
started coming to the PONS meetings as a guest and found out
how much I did not know and became a member to increase my
knowledge base in order to be become more effective in my role
as a care manager which I believe it has.
Vision/Goals for PONS:
To continue to grow PONS membership and to continue to support
RN's through education, support and community involvement.
Amy Malensek
Background:
I have been an oncology nurse for more nearly 10years. I began at
the bedside, and have grown over the years into a position as an
Education Specialist (Clinical Education) at the Cancer Treatment
Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center. I have
been very active with ONS for the past 6 years and I am currently
the Coordinator for the Breast Care SIG. I have worked closely
with our national ONS leadership to develop a stronger
engagement within the Social Media Platforms and look forward
to the opportunity of developing a stronger relationship with our
PONS members.
Vision/Goals for PONS:
I would love to see PONS grow and gain movement within the
West Valley. I would like to assist in coordinating events on the
west side, and also increasing the engagement of the nurses here
in the west valley.
I would like to assist in developing an annual symposium within
central Phoenix, working with other ONS chapters and also
including the ONS SIGS, thereby encouraging both regional and
national attendance. This symposium would allow for nurses
within the valley to share their expertise, through abstract
submission and presentation.
Marlene Miller
Background:
I moved to Arizona five years ago from Minnesota with my
husband. While in Minnesota, I coordinated a Head and Neck
Oncology Program at the University of Minnesota. I am certified as
an Otorhinolaryngology Head-Neck Nurse and an Oncology Nurse.
I currently work at Honor Health Shea. I am an Oncology Nurse
Navigator at Virginia G Piper Cancer Center. I have been a nurse
for over 30 years and continue to learn something new every day.
I come from a family of eight siblings growing up in rural
Minnesota. I enjoy hiking and love being outdoors all year long. I
do not miss shoveling snow or getting in to a car when it is 15
degrees below zero.
Vision/Goals for PONS:
If elected, I look forward to working with the PON members and
the board. I will do everything that I can to facilitate growth, and
opportunities to all PON members. I believe that all nurses are
leaders in their professional and personal life.
Treasurer-elect
Jaclyn Figueras
Background:
I have been a registered nurse for thirteen years and my passion
for oncology guided me to Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I
have been the Director of Professional Practice for the past three
and half years. In this role I direct Patient education, Clinical staff
education as well as non-clinical staff education. I am also the
project manager and oversee the process of the Commission on
Cancer (CoC) Accreditation, the National Accreditation Program for
Breast Centers (NAPBC), the Joint Commission Lung Cancer
Disease Specific Certification and the Magnet Program. I also
manage the purchasing of mass ONS/PONS memberships and ONS
course vouchers for various ONS classes. I have also had the
opportunity to direct other patient care areas such as
Cardiopulmonary, Internal Medicine Clinic, Wound Care, Cancer
Registry and Survivorship. All of these experiences have
broadened my scope of managing budgets, projects and provided
strong business acumen.
Vision/Goals for PONS:
As the Director of Professional Practice I oversee and uphold
nursing practice standards at our site and across the enterprise. I
have a passion for oncology and for evidence based practice to
ensure patients are provided for safely and nurses are confident
and competent at the bedside. In all aspects of oncology care we
look to ONS guidelines, policies and education to guide our
practice. By working more closely with PONS as treasurer, I would
like to see more education provided by oncology experts in the
valley and with a broadened focus on symptom management and
disease processes. I encourage all RNs in my organization to attend
PONS meetings and they have provided great insight and feedback
that I believe will help guide me in this role. I would also like to
leverage different organizations to host and provide a more
structured environment for learning outside of restaurants. With
my networking across the valley I believe I could provide great
assistance in taking PONS to the next level for educating nurses
across the valley.
Kashmir Horton
Background:
Hello! My name is Kashmir Horton. I have been an oncology nurse
for my entire 11 year career and I can’t imagine doing anything
else. I am currently working at Banner University Medical Center
as the RN Certified Specialist for the hematology/oncology and
palliative care units. This is the same unit where I began my career
as an extern. I also work part time for Palo Verde Oncology,
administering chemo in their outpatient clinic in Payson, Arizona.
Last year, I decided to return to school to pursue my Master’s of
Science in Nursing degree and am currently half way through my
MSN CNS program at Grand Canyon University. My goal is to
become a Clinical Nurse Specialist in oncology and then test for my
Advanced Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist certification. I feel
that I have found my next calling as an oncology CNS.
Vision/Goals for PONS:
I believe my personal and professional vision aligns perfectly with
the vision of the Oncology Nursing Society; to lead the
transformation of cancer care. As an RN certified specialist, my
primary focus is improving patient outcomes. I believe this will
ultimately be accomplished by transforming care for cancer
patients. This opportunity would allow me to assist in this
transformation on a larger scale. As our chapter goals include
generating and disseminating knowledge for oncology nursing
professionals and increasing recruitment of PONS members, I
would love the opportunity to aide in the professional
development of oncology nurses. I would not be where I am today
if it were not for the mentoring and guidance of my mentors. I
hope to pay it forward!!
Naomi Jimenez
Background:
I have been a Nurse for 8 years total. I started off as an LPN. I am
now an RN, BSN and I am currently attending GCU and working on
my MSN-FNP. My experience consists of 8 years of Adult/Geriatric
care, ranging from Rehab, Neurology, Med Surg, Cardiology and
Home Health. I have worked in long term, Sub-acute and Acute
care. I have a passion for Oncology as Cancer has affected many
family members of mine. I am a leader by nature and love to learn,
teach and uplift the nursing profession!
Vision/Goals for PONS:
I would like to obtain a board member position because I would
love to be a part of this great association! I have been a PONS
member for over a year now and I love attending the conferences
and really just spreading the word of what nurses do for our
Oncology patients; from medication management, infusion
therapy, community resources, family involvement, alternative
therapies, palliative care and end of life care.. the list goes on. I
believe that being a part of PONS and having a closer association
with the organization will definitely help me become a better
provider for my patients when I become a Family Nurse
Practitioner.