Stacy McCoy, APRN‑CNP, has spent her career as a dedicated primary care provider promoting health and wellness. Since becoming a registered nurse in 2009, Stacy has built a career centered around compassion, connection, and a deep commitment to patient care and education.
When asked what motivated her to become a nurse, Stacy was quick to point to her aunt’s career in healthcare. “She just lived a really cool life,” Stacy shared. “She opened my eyes to the healthcare world in general, outside my personal experiences.”
For the past 9 years, Stacy has worked as an NP at the Kettering Health Primary Care Summit in Middletown, Ohio. After working in cardiac step-down and the emergency department as an RN, Stacy found her true calling in primary care, where she interacts with patients across every stage of life. Whether she’s performing wellness checks, annual physicals, or managing chronic conditions, Stacy values providing the best possible care for all patients. “There’s no typical day,” she said. Yet, that unpredictability is part of what she loves about her role.
Prioritizing Preventative Colorectal Care
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month offers an important opportunity to highlight ways to prevent and bring awareness to this type of cancer. Stacy stresses that colorectal cancer is often preventable, and that screening is key. Many people assume they don’t need screening because they feel fine, but early colorectal cancer is often silent.
“Screening isn’t just about finding cancer early; it actually can prevent cancer by catching and removing the polyps during a screening colonoscopy,” Stacy explained.
A few ways to protect colorectal health are:
- Getting your first screening at 45
- Understanding your personal risk factors (family history or IBD)
- Prioritizing your diet and fiber intake
- Staying active
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking
Common Barriers to Healthcare
However, preventative care is hard to prioritize for many people – especially when it requires taking off work or finding a reliable mode of transportation. Plus, navigating the healthcare system can make it hard for patients to follow through with screening. Stacy actively works to address these challenges by helping patients explore all available options including monitored recovery programs that allow patients to drive themselves home, different testing options such as Cologuard and FIT, and eliminating fear by having honest, judgement-free conversations.
Stacy urges patients to be their own advocates, stay in tune with their bodies, and never ignore new symptoms. She encourages patients to ask themselves: Am I at high risk? What test do I need? When should I start?
With advocacy being pivotal in healthcare, it is important for APRNs like Stacy to use their voice to impact the broader healthcare landscape in Ohio. OAAPN works to provide education, updated resources, and a common voice for all APRNs. “It’s empowering to be a part of this body that’s working towards the greater good of advancing advanced practice nursing,” Stacy shared.
During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Stacy’s message is clear: have the conversation. Through compassionate care, honest dialogue, and a commitment to prevention, Stacy embodies the impact APRNs make every day in improving outcomes and empowering patients across Ohio.