About OncoCoach

I was 25 when I began my career in healthcare at a Level 1 Trauma Center in 2001, working alongside some of the best clinical teams in the country. The timing turned out to be significant—just a few months after I started working in the recovery room, my father was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer.

With less than a year of hospital experience, I had learned just enough to realize how much I didn’t know. My father’s diagnosis was my first personal encounter with cancer—or with navigating a serious health crisis of any kind. It was a nightmare from beginning to end, but my job became an unexpected lifeline. My coworkers were an invaluable resource, offering guidance and support at every turn.

I spent countless hours sitting on the stairs outside my dad’s hospital room, going over his treatment plan with any nurse or physician willing to answer my questions. They helped me make sense of the overwhelming medical jargon and navigate a healthcare system that often felt like it was working against us. Their patience and generosity made an immeasurable difference, and to this day, I don’t think I was ever able to fully express my gratitude for their kindness.