Becky Witham, FNP-C, AOCNP

I’m Becky Witham, FNP-C, AOCNP, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and advanced oncology certified nurse practitioner. In 2010, I joined Phelps Health as an RN (registered nurse), and in 2015, I began working in my current role. I collaborate with Phelps Health Medical Oncologists/Hematologists Thomas Guerrero-Garcia, MD, and Kan Huang, MD, PhD, MS.

I see a wide variety of adult patients during their cancer journey. When patients are first diagnosed, I provide education, and we discuss managing treatment symptoms. After treatment is completed, I provide surveillance (periodic testing to quickly catch any cancer recurrences). Additionally, I see patients for benign hematologic conditions (non-cancerous, blood-related conditions), including iron deficiency anemia and clotting disorders.

I was drawn to this medical field for three main reasons:

• A love for lifelong learning: Caring for people requires a lifetime of education, in order to provide our patients with the most current, revolutionary and relevant treatments.
• The greater good: I value being part of a greater purpose to help people in their time of need.
• Career options: I started as a CNA (certified nurse assistant) in a small nursing home, then became a trauma-certified RN (registered nurse) in Missouri’s largest hospital and now work as an AOCNP at the Phelps Health Delbert Day Cancer Institute. Options for advancement are endless in healthcare.

Phelps Health always has been, and continues to be, patient-centered. Our patients truly are why we are here. Phelps Health keeps its focus on providing exceptional care to patients and their families.

I am originally from Houston, Missouri, but now live in Rolla with my three daughters, two cats and a dog. Rolla has been a great place to put down roots and raise my daughters close to family. When I’m not working, the beach is my happy place.

As a provider, your foundation of care must be built on compassion, empathy and integrity. Cancer patients have the greatest understanding and appreciation for life. I will never forget a patient interaction that went like this:

Me: “How are you today?”

My patient: “I am well; I got to see another sunset.”

I am humbled every day by those words. I am often reminded that I don’t have a guarantee for tomorrow, but I do have now. And now, is when I can provide my patients with respect and love to the best of my ability.

I also offer telehealth visits, which allow patients to visit with me remotely using a smartphone, tablet or computer with an internet connection and audio-video capabilities.