Thora directs and oversees all aspects of her assigned projects ensuring compliance with registry standards and specifications. She ensures the goals and objectives of each project are met through oversight of her data abstraction teams.
Prior to joining Registry Partners, Thora served as Cancer Registry Manager at Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, MA leading the hospital through two CoC accreditation surveys. She has also served as Medical Staff Services Director at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, MA.
Thora earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix and her Cancer Registry Management certificate from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). She is also a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR).
Thora resides in Massachusetts with her husband, son, stepson and dog. In her spare time, she enjoys nature, traveling, reading, volunteering and spending time with her family and friends.
Q & A with Thora:
Q: Why do you believe the cancer registry field is so important?
A: The cancer data and statistics that cancer registrars collect is used on a local level to improve the quality of cancer care provided to patients by hospitals, physicians and clinicians. The data is also reported to the state and nationally, and is used for evaluating and monitoring cancer treatment. Additionally, the data is used for designing cancer prevention, research and control programs; all of which impact the future of cancer care and treatment for patients.
Q: What is the recommendation you most often share with cancer committee membership?
A: The goal of every cancer program is to provide quality, patient-centered care for its patients. The recommendation I most often share with cancer committee membership is that in order to successfully achieve the goals of the committee, it requires the active participation and involvement of every member. It’s absolutely a multidisciplinary – team effort!
Q: What advice would you give to other individuals considering a cancer registry career and pursuing their CTR?
A: There is a lot of opportunity and flexibility in the cancer registry field. CTRs may perform a variety of tasks, such as, abstracting and coding, providing statistical data reports, facilitating cancer conferences or committee meetings, and/or monitoring accreditation standards. CTRs may work at a hospital, state registry, consulting or staffing company. Registry Partners really promotes the concept of “work-life balance” and offers the flexibly of working from home to its CTRs – which is awesome! A career in cancer registry is very rewarding. I would encourage individuals considering the profession to go for it!