Johnstown, Pennsylvania – Amy Riley’s career spans a variety of medical fields, from rural family medicine to cancer research at one of the nation’s most prestigious organizations.
The Johnstown resident is a licensed nurse practicing with Dr. Ibrahim Sveitan at the Cornmorr Cancer Treatment Center at 1020 Franklin Street in Johnstown’s 8th Ward.
After graduating from Portage Area High School, Riley began his medical career at the University of Pittsburgh. There, he completed his nursing degree and became a board-certified nurse in oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (now UPMC, Hillman Cancer Center). Shadyside neighborhood of the city.
“I like the outdoors”
There she worked in cancer research as a postgraduate researcher, continued working as an oncology nurse at a cancer research institute, and took classes to become a certified nurse practitioner.
“I got my Nurse Practitioner’s license because I love the outdoors,” Riley said.
“I wanted to leave the city and live in the middle of a national forest.”
She got a job as a local doctor and moved to a farm in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
The rural county is home to 300,000 acres of Monongahela National Forest. Her work there was the epitome of the nurse practitioner role.
“It was extreme rural medicine, but it taught me a lot,” Riley said.
“Nurse practitioners really came out of rural medicine. What I did in Appalachia is what nurse practitioners really are.
“I’ve never worked with a doctor in Appalachia in my life. You couldn’t afford that.”
She estimates that she cared for about half of the county’s 8,000 residents.
“I’ve done everything under the sun,” Riley said.
“Talk about rural medicine. I was front-line rural medicine. I lived on a farm and had cattle.
“I could take care of my whole family, so I took care of my mother, my father, my baby, my grandmother. I do all the history. I had to take it to the office and sew it right away.
“Oreo cow”
Inspired by one of his patients, Riley acquired a Belted Galloway cow and began breeding his signature cattle. It is also called “Oreo cow” because the black parts are separated by large white bands.
“Little girls all over the world want horses when they grow up. I always wanted a cow,” she said.
After spending several years in Appalachia, Riley and husband Patrick had a daughter, Cora.
Eventually, the family decided to move back to Cumbria County to be closer to them.
Amy Riley hooked up with an old friend from her time at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Sveitan and worked with him at the Konemor Cancer Care Center.
“My Favorite Field”
“When I came back, I was able to get back into my favorite field, oncology,” she said.
Using the skills she honed in rural medicine, she was able to build relationships with patients and their families and help them understand the complexities of cancer treatment.
“As a medical practitioner, I’m a nurse first,” she said.
“I was able to acquire basic nursing and communication skills, as well as advanced medical knowledge to better communicate with patients and assist them in their cancer care. I think it’s a good role.”
Riley, 52, thinks she’s found the right match.
“We have a lot of people who care about their patients,” she said.
“They need to know someone cares. I tell them, ‘Call me if you need me.'” I don’t want to frighten or frighten the patient. We would love to stay there all the time. Oncology, more than any other field, allows us to do that. ”
Sveitan has known Riley for over 27 years and said he didn’t hesitate when she wanted to join Korn Moe’s team.
“Extraordinary Dedication”
“She has always been extraordinarily dedicated to the care of cancer patients,” he said.
“After returning to the Johnstown area 13 years ago, we were very fortunate to have her join our oncology team. , exhibiting qualities of calmness, patience and empathy.”
Sbeitan and Conemaugh’s team regularly consult with experts at UPMC Hillman, Allegheny General Hospital, and other large institutions.
“What we can do is keep people local, but we can bring in the Pittsburgh team,” Riley said.
She loves Johnstown for its outdoor recreation.
An avid biker and former mountain bike racer, Riley owns six bikes and plans to add two more.
She enjoys yoga and music. she plays the flute Cora has taken cello lessons and they both play the piano.
“It’s a great place to raise kids,” she said.
“I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
When not working, Riley makes jewelry. She sells her Crystal jewelry at her Classic Elements Inc. at 345 Main Street and Clay her jewelry at Balance Restaurant at 415 Main Street.
