A True Passion
Wamsley Shares Why She Chose to Care for Cancer Patients
"It is nice to have providers and doctors that know their patient's name and make a place that is not home feel like home."
-Amity Wamsley, RN
Clinical Manager, Holzer Center for Cancer Care
A cancer diagnosis is daunting. The staff at the Holzer Center for Cancer Care (HCCC) can provide patients with knowledge regarding their diagnosis and gentle care right here at home. Amity Wamsley, RN, Clinical Manager, HCCC, sat down to talk about cancer care services at Holzer and what it means.
“Cancer care consists of appointments with your provider where you can discuss your treatment options and build a great relationship with them,” said Wamsley. “Appointments and treatments can range from radiation treatments to chemotherapy, injections, oral medications, and innovative therapies. Immunotherapy, which uses your immune system to fight cancer, is often used to complement chemotherapy, which uses chemicals to fight cancer.”
Wamsley joined Holzer in 1997 as a surgery nurse. After 10 years, she transitioned to working directly in cancer care after her father came to HCCC as a patient. She said that her father’s group of nurses were great and provided such excellent care that she decided to be a part of this team.
“It’s like a little oasis over here at the cancer center,” said Wamsley. “Everybody is positively engaged, even though many might think of this place as a sad one. My dad was the great driving factor for my passion for oncology.”
HCCC sees and treats several types of cancer including lung, colon, breast, prostate and some bloodborne cancers, including lymphoma. There are many screenings that can be performed to recognize, prevent and detect cancer.
“Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that’s completely preventable through a colonoscopy,” said Wamsley. “Mammograms are important to have annually to detect breast cancer. We have the low-dose CT screening program for individuals who are at an elevated risk for lung cancer, and we offer a free skin cancer screening annually. Melanoma is a cancer that often sneaks up on people, but can be easily identified early on through screening.”
Wamsley comes from a medical family and shares that caring for others is in her blood. Her grandfather was a private practice physician, and her grandmother was a surgery nurse. Wamsley said that her favorite part of working in cancer care is the close connections developed with the patients. She has a true passion for the field where patients are a blessing.
“We have some of the most appreciative, kind-hearted group of individuals that come here for care,” said Wamsley. “It is a privilege to be a part of the cancer center. Holzer is a great community hospital, and we have the desire to do good for our community. It is nice to have providers and doctors that know their patient’s name and make a place that is not home feel like home.”
Wamsley resides near Pomeroy, Ohio, on a family farm with her husband, Bill. Together, they have two sons, Gage, 26, and Nicholas, 24, and a dachshund named Tilly. Wamsley enjoys farming and crafting in her free time.
