Uphs – Portage Heroes | Hannah Tilton, Rn
October 1, 2021
What is your title and role at UPHS-Portage?
Cancer care infusion nurse. My job involves educating, administering chemotherapy drugs, managing side effects, and supporting patients emotionally.
What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
When I was younger, I would visit my grandmother in the nursing home and I would watch the nurses and aides and admire how hard they worked and how caring they were towards my grandmother. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a nurse and help care for people and make a difference.
What’s a typical day like for you? What is it like working in this field?
A typical day involves drawing labs from ports, reviewing labs, ordering and administering medications, monitoring for adverse effects, and managing symptoms. Working with cancer patients can be hard at times especially when you lose a patient that you have become close with and taken care of for a long time. I really enjoy getting to know my patients and building a strong relationships with them. Our patients are like family to us because we see them so often.
How long have you been employed here? Have you always been in the same position?
I have been working at Portage for 5 months. I moved here from Wisconsin and I was working at the Marshfield Clinic for 6 years. I worked as a dermatology technician for 4 years and as a nurse on an inpatient Oncology/Hematology/Medical unit for 2 years.
What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?
The pandemic has caused a lot of fear for our immunocompromised patients so we are being extra careful to protect our patients from getting any infections
What are some of your interests outside of work? What/where is your favorite local gem?
I like to be crafty and I just recently finished some DIYs for my wedding in October. I also really enjoy shopping, traveling, and cooking. My favorite local gem is the Keweenaw Brewing Co.
What do you enjoy most about working at UPHS – Portage?
I have really great coworkers who are always so helpful. I wouldn’t be able to do it without my oncology team.