Feature Stories 2026: Aubrey Fazzone '26: Passion for cancer patient care

When nursing major Aubrey Fazzone ‘26 began studying at UMass Dartmouth, she didn't expect to fall in love with oncology care. Completing the Flynn Oncology Fellowship helped her discover where her passions lie: in creating bonds with her patients and helping them fight cancer.

The Flynn Oncology Fellowship

The Flynn Oncology Fellowship is a thirteen-week fellowship where students shadow nurses in multiple areas of oncology.

"This fellowship showed me every single aspect of cancer care. In my hospital, there were numerous different floors including surgical oncology, medical oncology, gynecologic oncology, and hematology. I worked in outpatient infusion one day, then radiology the next. I got to watch surgeries and integrative medicine treatments," Fazzone said.

Fazzone gained technical experience during her fellowship and created strong personal connections with patients and an understanding of the realities of fighting cancer.

"Working on these floors gives you an idea of what these patients go through every day. This experience opened my eyes to what their life is like living with cancer. It makes you a stronger nurse because you can better understand their perspective. There's a lot of mutual respect between the nurses and the patients.

"I feel so humbled to have been a part of this fellowship. It's an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. I urge any nursing student to apply, especially if you enjoy patient care and interaction. These patients are so different, and you see so much. It's a great opportunity to learn new skills and be hands-on," she said.

Students can visit the Career Center for help finding and applying to internships such as the Flynn Oncology Fellowship.

Working at Yale Hospital

Students can choose where they want to complete their fellowship when they apply, and Fazzone chose to conduct hers at Yale Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.

"Yale is one of the top hospitals in cancer research. I got to spend time with their research faculty and see the new technology they've developed, such as new surgeries and chemotherapy regimens. It's an innovative hospital and I got to see all of it, which is really amazing."

Rewarding work

Above all, Fazzone appreciates the way nursing connects her with patients and provides opportunities to help those who need it most.

"I didn't go into nursing school thinking I would want to be an oncology nurse. But there was one patient who really changed the game for me during med-surg. I still think about her and how scared she was. Caring for her changed me as a nurse and as a person. I realized that patient interactions and getting to know them is so important," she said.

Why study nursing at UMass Dartmouth?

"I was really impressed by UMass Dartmouth's nursing program. I love how we start clinicals early on. Most schools have students start in their junior year, but we start during the second semester of our sophomore year, which gives us more experience. That was one of the deciding factors for me when choosing where to attend school," said Fazzone.

"UMass Dartmouth's nursing program definitely prepares you to go in and be a nurse. I felt prepared both emotionally and physically to begin my fellowship. I had the hands-on skills to do things like give medicine and the interpersonal skills to connect with the patients."

The UMD community

"What makes UMass Dartmouth special is the closeness of the community. I love how intimate the campus is. I can walk to all my classes, and it was easy to make friends.

"The school encourages you to be social and make friends during your first year, especially with how the first-year dorms are designed. It's easy to get to know other people. I have a big group of friends both in and outside of my major."

“UMass Dartmouth’s nursing program definitely prepares you to go in and be a nurse. I felt prepared both emotionally and physically to begin my fellowship.”