Missy Rowan was diagnosed acute lymphocytic leukemia shortly before she was to begin nursing school, she was working as a waitress at the time. Her experience led her to choose an oncology specialization for her nursing degree — a career path she had not envisioned while previously earning her degree as a nutritionist. She was hired for a temporary position in the Oncology Department at St. Mary's after completing her degree and has since moved to a full-time position at Essentia Health's Cancer Center.

“I have to say cancer is probably the best thing that could have ever happened to me,” she said. “It got me on the right career path. … It also totally changed my attitude because I realized that life is short. You can’t be miserable. And you have to take it a day at a time sometimes. It’s kind of changed a lot of decisions down the road for me. It came out for the best, you know? I’m happy.”

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