Nurse coordinator: ‘I’m the easy button – to help make a patient’s journey a little better.’

Julie Cory Nowak joined IU Health when she learned of a position specifically working in breast oncology.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

As a student at Franklin Central High School Julie Cory Nowak considered a career in healthcare and began volunteering in a nursing home. She worked her way through college at UINDY as a pediatric care coordinator.

Throughout her early experiences, she knew she had a heart for oncology. Here is more about Nowak:

Why did you choose nursing?
I think I always wanted to be in the medical field. My first job after college was working in bone marrow transplant. I then went to outpatient oncology where I took care of all different types of cancer and administered chemotherapy. I then moved into managing several chemotherapy infusion sites. When I learned of the opening at IU Health to work with Dr. Bryan Schneider, I knew that’s the job I wanted. I heard him speak at a symposium and knew of his expertise in the field. Dr. Schneider specializes in breast cancer care. He also has clinical expertise in precision oncology and research.

Why the interest in oncology?
My senior year of nursing school my mom was diagnosed with leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant. I fell in love with the oncology nurses – their teamwork and compassion. My mom was cured from leukemia and was 10 years out from transplant and was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was 61 when she died.

How has that experience helped you in your specialty?
I’ve learned you must take something bad and make it into something good. I’m able to relate to patient’s – their daughter could be me with my mom, or any other family member. It’s often more difficult to be in the role of a family member because you can’t fix it.

Describe a typical day.
Mondays I’m in clinicals seeing patients and helping Dr. Schneider. I spend time giving patient’s my contact information and providing education. Later in the week, I make sure their tests and infusion are scheduled appropriately and scan their charts and update Dr. Schneider. There are various aspects of supportive care they may reach out about – financial, medial, and social. I like to say, ‘I’m the easy button’ because I want them to call for any need and I help make their journey a little easier.

Describe a patient request where you left work and knew you were working in the right role.
It is difficult but also quite easy to answer. I am one of the lucky ones who loves what they do for a living. Every day I know I'm doing what I was meant to do. Cancer patients are the strongest, most humble, grateful people to work with and serve. That goes for the different teams of professionals I have worked with through the years. I have met and learned from some of the most amazing and beautiful human beings, and I am grateful, to say the least. I can think of so many special moments with patients and staff that have impacted my life, given me a unique perspective on life not everyone can understand or appreciate. Who have I helped, you ask? Not nearly as many as those who have helped me.

Personal: Nowak is married to Scott Nowak. She is the mother to 25-year-old triplets. At the end of the day, she enjoys sitting on her patio with her husband and dog, playing card games and listening to music.