Your Cancer Care Team is Critical—Get to Know Oncology Nurse Practitioner Jessie Salo
June 12, 2024
When you're facing a cancer diagnosis, your care team is critical, and every member has an important role in your treatment. From discovery through pathology and imaging to the oncologist and nursing staff and everyone in between, you can expect to meet a lot of professionals throughout the duration of your care at UP Health System – Portage. With compassion and community at the center of our mission, we place a high importance on making every patient we see feel comfortable with every member of our team and recognize how powerful simply getting to know them on a deeper level can be.
Jessie Salo, NP-C, is a certified nurse practitioner in our Oncology Unit. A Copper Country native, Jessie returned to the Upper Peninsula for a job at UPHS – Portage and has been a valued member of our team for 10 years. She recently did a Q&A explaining her role in Oncology, why she chose to pursue a career in cancer care and what she's learned along the way.
Q: What led you to a career as a nurse practitioner?
A: As a nurse, I was always looking to further my knowledge. Obtaining my master's degree and becoming a nurse practitioner allowed me to advance my education and still be active in patient care.
Q: Tell us about your education and experience in the healthcare field.
A: I graduated from Finlandia University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then obtained a Master of Science Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner in 2018. Prior to working in Oncology, my nursing experience has been in skilled nursing facilities and inpatient nursing.
Q: Why did you choose oncology and cancer care as your specialty?
A: While working on a Medical Oncology Unit in St Louis, MO, I obtained my chemotherapy certification and training. As I gained experience, I enjoyed the complexity and diversity that is in the oncology field.
Q: What does a typical day in Oncology look like for you?
A: I work closely with the oncologist in managing patients’ treatment plans and overseeing the infusion room. I also do a lot of treatment education and survivorship follow-up visits.
Q: What do you find most compelling about your role?
A: Nursing is focused on advocating, educating and caring for the patient; however, I have always found how much we learn from the people we care for to be the most compelling. I appreciate them allowing me to be part of their care and lives, and hearing their stories. I am always learning from them.
Q: Why did you choose UP Health System – Portage?
A: After graduating from Finlandia University, I landed my first nursing job on the Med-Surg Unit at Portage. When I returned to the local area, I started as a nurse in the Oncology Clinic and the Cancer Care Infusion room. Returning to UPHS – Portage just felt like returning home.
Jessie works alongside UPHS – Portage Oncologist & Hematologist Charles Goodwin, MD, PhD, to offer comprehensive support and specialized treatment options close to home. To learn more about Cancer Care at UP Health System – Portage, call 906.483.1000 or visit UPHealthSystem.com/Cancer-Care.