Hunterdon Healthcare Nurse Receives Breast Care Certification

Pictured: Pamela Vlahakis, RN, CEN, CRN, CBCN is nurse coordinator of the Hunterdon Regional Breast Care Program at the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center.

Published May 20, 2009

Pamela Vlahakis, RN, CEN, CRN, CBCN nurse coordinator of the Hunterdon Regional Breast Care Program at the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center passed the first Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN) Examination administered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.  Ms. Vlahakis is one of 120 nurses to pass the first administration of the Certified Breast Care Nurse Examination, which means only 120 nurses in the country hold this certification.  

Ms Vlahakis has more than 30 years of nursing experience focused in emergency, interventional radiology, and oncology nursing.  At Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, Ms. Vlahakis works with a multidisciplinary team to initiate the development of a virtual breast care program that has proven to be a model for other tumor site strategies, as well as the foundation for the addition of the clinical care coordinator for other disease-specific service lines.  Her responsibilities include case management, education, and navigation of patients from detection to diagnosis of both benign and malignant breast disease. 

Ms. Vlahakis received her associate of arts degree in nursing from Morris Harvey College, Charleston, West Virginia.  She is currently enrolled in the Masters in Nursing program at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  She is certified in emergency nursing, as well as radiological and imaging nursing.  She recently presented at the Association of Community Cancer Centers Annual National Conference on successful implementation of the nurse navigator role in community-based oncology programs.  Ms. Vlahakis resides in Annandale, New Jersey. 
To learn more about the Hunterdon Regional Breast Program call 908-237-2362.