About Courtney
Here’s a little about who I am and the work that guides me.
I’m Courtney Desy—an oncology infusion nurse, author, and patient educator dedicated to improving how patients and families experience cancer care, both inside the clinic and at home.
My clinical practice is based at UMass Memorial Health – UMass Memorial Medical Center. I administer chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted treatments, while supporting patients through the physical, emotional, and spiritual realities of a cancer diagnosis. Years at the infusion chair have shaped a core belief that guides everything I do: healing is not only clinical—it is deeply human.
As an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), my work is grounded in daily, hands-on infusion care. Much of my focus centers on translating what is taught in clinic into clear, steady guidance patients and caregivers can actually use—especially in the quiet, uncertain moments between visits.
As an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), my work is grounded in daily, hands-on infusion care. Much of my focus centers on translating what is taught in clinic into clear, steady guidance patients and caregivers can actually use—especially in the quiet, uncertain moments between visits.
My Path to Oncology
My path to oncology was not linear. I began my career in accounting, earning a Master’s degree in Accounting (MSA) and becoming a CPA before realizing I wanted to work directly with people at moments that matter most. Nursing offered that calling. Oncology made it unmistakable.
That earlier training still matters. It shaped how I think—systematically, clearly, and with deep respect for accuracy and safety. Nursing added presence, empathy, and lived experience. Together, these disciplines inform how I care for patients and how I write: with precision, clarity, and compassion.
Why I Write
I am the author of Stronger Than Chemo™, a nurse-led guide designed to help patients and caregivers understand cancer treatment, manage side effects safely, and navigate care with greater confidence. The book was born from years of listening—to the questions patients ask out loud, and the ones they often carry silently.
I am also the author of Infused With Care™, a forthcoming resource for oncology nurses that centers the human side of infusion practice. My writing has appeared in Oncology Nursing News, AJN Off the Charts, and Holistic Nursing Practice, and my work contributes to national conversations on patient education, palliative care, and nurse advocacy.
Currently, I am developing a TEDx Talk titled “Stronger Than Chemo: The Medicine Between the Medicines,” which explores dignity, meaning, and shared decision-making in cancer care—the parts of healing that don’t come in an IV bag, but matter just as much.
What Guides My Work
At the heart of my work is a belief that patients deserve clarity without overwhelm, honesty without fear, and compassion without condescension. Caregivers deserve guidance and support—not silence. And clinicians—especially nurses—carry essential wisdom that belongs not only at the bedside, but in the wider conversation about cancer care.
This work is shaped not only by my professional role, but by my life outside the clinic. I am a mother, and deeply aware of how illness ripples through families. My daughter, who published her first book at age seven, reminds me daily that voice, courage, and curiosity matter at every age.
My Purpose
My aim is to help people facing cancer feel informed, supported, and steadier as they move through care. I also work to support the clinicians who care for them.
If you’re here as a patient, caregiver, or clinician, I’m glad you’re here. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
Stronger Than ChemoTM Foundation
Evidence-based support for patients, caregivers, and oncology nurses
We empower cancer patients, caregivers, and oncology nurses with free guides, practical tools, and healing programs. Together, we make treatment less overwhelming and more compassionate.
Newsletter
From My Desk to Your Inbox
I share patient tools, articles, and updates on my work—along with early access to new resources from the Stronger Than Chemo™ Foundation.
