Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Winter 2021

12 House Calls Winter 2021 Sarah Dunn, MSN, AGPNP-C Nurse practitioner, medical oncology How did you come to your career choice? I was interested in working with people, and I wanted to focus on helping those with high vulnerability. At the recommendation of my grandmother, a registered nurse, I looked into a career in nursing. The added benefits of stability and career growth solidified my path. Where are you from and what did you do before arriving at Bartlett Regional Hospital? I moved from Atlanta, Georgia, where I was working at Emory in head and neck surgery. The previous eight years were spent in North Carolina, with a year at Cone Health in palliative care, and the remainder at Duke in hematology/ oncology and then as an oncology hospitalist. Throw in school in Wisconsin and growing up in Vermont, and I feel like I’ve been all over the U.S.! What are your first impressions of Juneau? I am completely awestruck by the beauty of the area. I’ve been to places with mountains or rainforests or wetlands, but it’s incredible to live in a place with all of those and more. The accessibility of outdoor activities is also unparalleled. I still can’t believe that within 10 minutes (or less) of my house I can run, hike, ski, bike and kayak. The people I have met are warm and engaging, and the city has a small-town feel with people saying “hello” as they walk by. Cars also yield to pedestrians and bikes, which is very different from Atlanta. What does your new position entail? I work with the Bartlett Medical Oncology Center (BMOC) as a nurse practitioner. The position is new, and I suspect it will evolve over time. I support the oncologists who are already in the practice, while also seeing patients in my own clinic and helping the infusion center. Given the significant role primary care providers also play in oncology care in Juneau, I hope to build relationships with them and support them in whatever needs arise. What do you most enjoy about your job? I have really enjoyed starting to meet our patients and working with the BMOC team to coordinate care. There are a lot of opportunities for program development and growth as well, and I find that exciting. What do you hope to bring to your patients? Generally, patients will have improved access to care. I am in the clinic and available for questions, concerns and acute needs. I also see patients for follow-up visits on a Monday through Friday schedule, so they are not limited to only when the oncologists are available. More specifically, I hope to bring comfort and support to patients and their loved ones. I hope to be an accessible resource to help them navigate this difficult journey and walk with them through each step from diagnosis to treatment and hopefully long-term survivorship. What are you most looking forward to in your new life here? I’m excited to be back in a small city that has a strong community feel. I grew up in a small town, and I look forward to the happiness that comes from finding your regular cafés and restaurants, seeing people you know around town, and feeling integrated into the community. I also mentioned it earlier, but the accessibility of outdoor activities is phenomenal. I’m excited to incorporate more physical activities into my day-to- day, and I look forward to challenging myself in ways I couldn’t when I was stuck in a large city. Goals for the next year: ski 100 days, qualify for the Boston Marathon and complete a century ride. Meet our new NPs CANCER CARE We are proud to announce the addition of two nurse practitioners who have joined the Bartlett Medical Oncology Center team! We believe this arrangement will enhance collaboration between local primary care providers and Bartlett’s visiting oncology/ hematology specialists, Paul Weiden, MD, and Tom Malpass, MD.