Martha Aiyuk, BSN, OCN

Martha Aiyuk discovered the potential of medicine at an early age. Seeing her ill diabetic father receive improper treatment at a local hospital in her native Cameroon set off an alarm in Aiyuk and set her on the path to becoming a healthcare practitioner.

Aiyuk received her B.S.N. in nursing from University of Nevada's Orvis School of Nursing in 1997. She began her career at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center as a staff nurse in the Medical Oncology department. Her work assisting patients in the Outpatient Infusion Center led to a promotion to unit supervisor of Medical Oncology were she worked for seven years.

In 2006, Aiyuk was named supervisor of radiation oncology where she works closely with the medical director of radiation oncology, Dr. Jonathan Tay. Together they have established the CyberKnife program at Saint Mary's, bringing the world's most precise stereotactic radiosurgery technology to northern Nevada. More recently, they have developed Saint Mary's Brain Tumor Center, bringing the resources of leading neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and the most advanced tumor technology together to provide expedited care for tumor patients.

Early in her nursing career, Aiyuk recognized her passion for oncology. In a specialty where a patient's condition can change in a moment and every day is unique, she finds the work both challenging and satisfying. Aiyuk also senses a special quality in cancer patients that makes it particularly rewarding to care for them. They seem to have a deep sense of gratitude for the care they receive.

Martha Aiyuk is currently pursuing her master of Nursing at Orvis School of Nursing. She believes the skills and opportunities offered by this advanced degree will enable her to do even more to help care for those in her community.

Physicians shown are independent practicioners and not employees of the hospital.