1. What is your title and which areas of the Department of Human Oncology do you work within? (clinical, research and/or medical education)?
I’m a dosimetry assistant in the radiotherapy department at University Hospital. I started as a radiation therapist for three years before transitioning to the treatment planning team in dosimetry last September.
2. What drew you to the field?
I was originally drawn to radiation oncology because of the opportunity to connect with patients during one of the toughest times of their lives. I wanted to make their radiation therapy experience as easy as possible, through reassurance, a smile, or even a laugh. Over time, I became fascinated with the treatment planning side of things, which led me to my current role, helping dosimetrists create safe treatment plans that target tumors while minimizing side effects.
3. What is something you look forward to in your job every day, week, month or year? What’s your favorite part?
My favorite part of my job is getting to work with our amazing dosimetry team. They’re incredibly hardworking, supportive, and the work they put in each day for our patients is unbelievable. They provide the highest quality of care in their plans, while also being extremely welcoming and a whole lot of fun. I also love collaborating with other incredible teams in our department. The UW Radiation Oncology team provides outstanding care, but it’s not an accident. It’s a team effort, and the collaboration of our schedulers, nurses, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, physicists, MD’s and leaders all mix to provide outstanding and passionate care for our patients. I really appreciate the dedication and camaraderie that makes working here so fun and rewarding.
4. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I have a deep love for movies and TV shows and am usually looking for somebody to talk about them with. I even share movie quotes on a whiteboard every Friday, and if you guess the movie, you get a piece of candy. I also love the outdoors—my fiancé and I enjoy skiing, hiking, camping, and kayaking. We’re aiming to visit every National Park and have been to 10 together so far. I am also a proud cat dad to two cats, Stevie and Beetlejuice.
5. What is your favorite piece of advice from a mentor or inspiring figure in your life?
My fiancé is someone I deeply admire in so many ways, but one of my favorite lessons she’s taught me is the acronym “BWYFA,” pronounced “boy-fa.” It stands for, “Be where your feet are.” She first learned this as a camp counselor, but it’s become a powerful reminder I try to carry with me every day. It’s so easy to get caught up in worries about the future, especially with all the stresses and challenges life throws at us. Even when things seem too overwhelming, it’s crucial to take a step back, take a deep breathe, and “be where your feet are.” Its an excellent reminder to focus on being present in the moment and enjoy the ride!
