Spotlight on: Radiation Oncology Nurses
Posted on
We are pleased to welcome Samantha Conway and Erin Gregoire to our Radiation Oncology staff. We asked both nurses some questions to help us get to know them better. We’re sharing it with you, so you can learn more about them too!
Samantha Conway, RN Lead RN, Radiation Oncology
Samantha obtained her nursing degree at Naugatuck Valley Community College in 2015, and worked at Waterbury Hospital, in home care, and in primary care as a triage nurse before joining the Leever nursing team in April 2021.
Q: How did you get interested in radiation oncology?
A: I had been in all kinds of positions previous to my nursing career. All those positions were in an effort to help people, but none were totally satisfying. I decided to learn about oncology medicine and it was extremely interesting, so I determined that would be my career path.
“The focus is always on the patients and families.”
Q: Had you heard of Leever before you applied for the job?
A: Absolutely—I was familiar with Leever long before this position became available. When I was working in human resources, I had the opportunity to attend an amazing program called Leadership Greater Waterbury. Through those classes I met Tom [Belzek], who is Leever’s finance director. I’ve also had interactions with many people at Leever, and have seen them at lots of different Relay for Life events.
Q: What has been your experience with Leever so far?
A: Very positive. It’s a great group of people that work together in an amazing way. The focus is always on the patients and the families, and they really work to make being here as positive an experience as it can be.
Q: What are your professional goals as an RN, both daily and long term?
A: I’m always, always focused on patient safety and satisfaction, and long term, I’d like to continue my education in the field.
Erin Gregoire, RN Radiation Oncology
Erin obtained her nursing degree at Goodwin College in East Hartford. Before joining the Leever nursing team, she worked in the Waterbury public school nurse’s office as a public health aide, at a summer school in Bethel, and then with DaVita dialysis at Waterbury Heights.
Q: How did you get interested in the field?
A: I have wanted to become a nurse for as long as I can remember. I am a cancer survivor myself, and while I was going through my treatments, I knew I wanted to work in oncology one day.
Q: Had you heard of Leever before?
A: Yes. It has been my dream to work here since I knew it was opening almost 20 years ago.
“I strive to provide our patients with exceptional care.”
Q: What has been your experience with Leever so far?
A: My experience here has been nothing short of amazing. All the staff is wonderful. They have welcomed me and are so supportive.
Q: What was your specialty prior to joining Leever?
A: My specialty was dialysis, which is much more physically hands-on. Radiation oncology treatments are delivered by high-tech devices, and we help manage the results of the treatment, whereas in dialysis I was responsible for delivering the treatment as well.
Q: What are your professional goals as an RN?
A: On a daily basis, I strive to provide our patients with exceptional care. Long term, I am working toward gaining a stronger knowledge base in oncology and radiation therapy.