Her official title is the Oncology Clinical Patient Information Coordinator but for Amanda McClung that means wearing a variety of hats – counselor, cheerleader, advocate, educator.

“The best thing about my job is I get to talk to people all day,” said the 28-year old who recently joined the James Graham Brown Cancer Center team as the face for patients coming in the Resource Center on the first floor.

“I am here for patients and caregivers to come in or call in, for any support they need,” said Amanda. “It may be questions about setting up services like a massage or referring them to resources such as support groups or showing them our wigs and scarves room. “

In addition to doing a triage for calls, Amanda also works one-on-one with patients. “I am ready to pull out whatever “hat” the patient needs me to wear when they come through that door. In fact, sometimes until we talk the patient doesn’t know what they need or even how to ask for what they need.”

After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Louisville in 2006, Amanda lived for a time in Maryland but returned to Louisville in 2009 and worked for Baptist Hospital East ‘s inpatient oncology unit. Amanda accepted her new position at the Cancer Center in October of this year, and Amanda said the job seems like an excellent fit.  “I always have liked the education and support aspect– I just never had time before to talk on the phone with patients and caregivers.” 

When Amanda was 12 years old, her grandmother passed away from leukemia, and she had watched closely the health care team who treated and worked with her grandmother for her last six months of life. By senior year of high school, she knew nursing would be her career decision. “I wanted to get involved with every aspect of it – not just the patients but families and caregivers, too.”

“I love the Cancer Center,” continued Amanda. “Everyone has such a positive attitude. Every department is so knowledgeable about what they do. But most importantly, everybody genuinely and truly cares about every patient.”

According to Amanda, “the hardest part of being an oncology nurse is when people pass away who you’ve become so close to. You just hate it. But my favorite part of the job is knowing that I’ve helped somebody – seeing the expression on their face, “she said.

“It can be as simple as handing them pamphlets or seeing relief they get from pain medicine. There are so many ways you can help people – and I enjoy it all.”