Jocey Pronko, Oncology Clinical Coordinator

Jocelyn Pronko grew up all over the Midwest, graduating from the University of Dayton in Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She worked for a biotechnology company before moving to Michigan, where she entered the veterinary technology program at Michigan State University, a four-year program affiliated with the veterinary school. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary technology, she became a licensed veterinary technician (LVT) and worked for five years in the emergency and critical care unit at the Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Moving to Colorado, she joined the staff of the emergency and critical care unit at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where she spent nine years before moving to the Animal Cancer Center as the first Oncology Clinical Coordinator.

Tell us what brought you to Colorado.
I spent five years in the critical care unit at Michigan State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital and, although I loved it, I had always wanted to live out West. I decided to make the move while I was still single and had only to move myself, my horse and my dog. In Denver, I worked in an excellent specialty private practice, but I really missed the university setting and I also missed critical care medicine.

What do you like about emergency and critical care medicine?
It's an environment that requires high energy, a calm mind and the ability to function as part of a team that communicates and works together quickly and seamlessly. I also like the detailed follow-up with patients, monitoring their progress until they can go home; or, working closely with clients to help them through the process of making the ultimate decision about their pet.

A critical care nurse, communication with others is important. You work with many outside services as well as every service area within the hospital, including the front desk, the business office, the lab, and specialties such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, and others. You learn to communicate with a variety of personalities as well as how to handle unusual or stressful situations. Sometimes, communicating means not talking, just listening.

What are you most looking forward to as the new oncology client coordinator?
I have the chance to learn something new, as well as stretch old skills. I have the opportunity to work more closely with both "the front of the house"—the clients, as well as "the back of the house," the clinical areas. I want to make the whole hospital experience less stressful, more efficient and more positive for the client, the patient and the clinician.

I can also appreciate the perspectives of both the clinical staff and the client, because I am both. My 13 year-old German short-hair mix, Chloe, was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) last year. She underwent surgery, but at the time I couldn't afford the follow-up chemotherapy and the recommended medication made her violently ill, so I opted not to treat. When I began work here, I learned about a clinical trial specifically for dogs with TCC that had not had treatment, and Chloe has qualified to participate. The study is translational, it's seeking answers that will help both animals and humans with cancer. I love being a part of that!

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I'm training with my five year-old Thoroughbred, Paxon, to compete in dressage events next year. We both enjoy the workout and, as in all other aspects of life, it requires teamwork, discipline and communication to get it right.

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