Michaela Erbstoesser, MBA, BSN, RN, CMSRN, knew early in her career that she wanted to help patients navigate all stages of the cancer journey.
In her new role as the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund Manager, she hopes to help patients who are experiencing financial challenges while undergoing treatment.
Here’s a few minutes with Michaela Erbstoesser.
Tell us about your journey to this point in your career
I was raised in a military family and grew up bouncing between different bases along the East Coast. After my father’s 9/11 deployment, my family moved to the Midwest so my siblings and I could gain “Midwestern values.” The Midwest will always hold a special place in my heart! I studied genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and spent the majority of my freshman year deciding between a career in health care versus research. I eventually landed on research and decided I wanted to pursue my PhD.
I participated in a research scholars’ program and was paired with a lab in the school of nursing. My time spent in the eSchoolCare lab made me rethink my whole career and ultimately motivated me to pursue an accelerated nursing program after graduation.
I completed my BSN at Lakeview College of Nursing and decided to move to North Carolina afterward. I started my career at UNC Health as a new graduate nurse on 7 Neurosciences, which, at the time, was the head and neck and surgical oncology department. Our amazing team and my leadership experiences on the unit encouraged me to consider nursing management. After five years at the bedside, I transitioned to an oncology nurse navigator role to provide a bit more consistency in my schedule while I completed the executive MBA program at UNC.
After completing my MBA, the opportunity to manage the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund became available. While stepping away from direct patient care was not an easy decision, the new role allows me to combine my nursing and business knowledge to support UNC Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in cancer/oncology, in particular your new role as the lead of the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund?
I initially pursued a career in oncology because of my genetics background. However, I found that there is something special about the patients in the oncology world and I can’t leave it!
The Cancer Patient Assistance Fund, which aims to reduce barriers and improve access to cancer care, is a program that has a meaningful impact on the patients we serve, and it also deeply resonates with my personal values.
Why is serving this patient population important to you?
Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand how health outcomes, particularly in oncology, are impacted by inequities in health care access and the broader social determinants of health.
It is important to me that every patient has access to receive quality cancer care. Serving populations that otherwise might not have the opportunity or resources to come to their appointments is incredibly important to me and UNC Health’s mission.
What is your most memorable moment in your career with a patient?
I’ve made so many incredible memories with patients over the years that it is hard to pick just one.
While I was at the bedside, we had a patient who was with us for a while. He was a bit grumpy and difficult to engage with. Many of the nurses were not thrilled when he was on their assignment for the shift, but I made it my mission to get to know him and get him to crack a smile. I had a tough shift and towards the end of it, I found a post-it note from him at my station that said, “I hope you had a good day! Get home safe.” It was a small gesture, but it felt like a huge win.
Ultimately, he was trying to process a hard diagnosis and grieving his independence – alone – in a hospital room. I still have that note as a reminder that slowing down and taking a little time to get to know the patient as a person first makes a difference.
What advice do you have for someone entering this line of work?
I find it incredibly difficult to not bring the suffering witnessed throughout my day home with me. A few things I would recommend to someone entering this line of work are:
- Admit the work is hard. Early on, I was afraid to admit the impact my work was having on my mental health because I thought it was a weakness. I found that when I opened up about it to my co-workers, many of them were wrestling with similar thoughts and feelings. Don’t be too proud to admit that it’s hard work.
- Find your community of people who “get it.” I lean heavily on my health care colleagues, especially in seasons of burnout. Make time to build that community early in your career because that additional layer to your support system is invaluable.
- Find tools and habits that work for you. Our patients deserve the best version of us, so lean into self-care. “Three Good Things” is a gratitude practice that works for me and helps me through tough seasons.
What was your very first job?
I worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at our community pool. Honestly, being outside all the time was a dream.
What keeps you motivated?
My husband, family and friends always show up to motivate and support me, especially in seasons where I forget “my why.” I couldn’t do my job without them.
My teammates: I’ve had the privilege to work alongside many inspirational healthcare professionals over the years. Seeing my teammates work together to provide Carolina Care for our patients motivates me to show up on the hard days.
My patients: I have learned some of my greatest life lessons from patients I have worked with over the years. I find that oncology patients have a unique perspective on what really matters in our day-to-day lives, so it has been a privilege to learn from them.