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For four years, Noelle Walker was a key member of the back line for The University of Scranton women’s soccer team that boasted one of the best defenses in the country. In both 2021 and 2022, the Royals ranked in the top 10 nationally in both shutouts and fewest goals allowed en route to consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Walker has since taken on a new defense role helping patients in their battle against cancer. She joined the team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City shortly after graduating from Scranton with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has quickly grown to love working on the adult inpatient Bone Marrow Transplant floor.
“I am learning so much and love both the floor and the hospital as well as the sweet patients,” Walker said.
Nurses at Sloan Kettering typically work a 12-hour shift, starting at either 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. Through the early months of her tenure, Walker worked primarily on the daytime shift during orientation, though she has recently taken on some overnight shifts as well.
In her role, she administers chemotherapy treatments, peripheral stem cell transplants, central line dressing changes and drawing lab samples among other responsibilities.
Upon graduation, oncology was something that she knew she always wanted to do because of her passion for the nursing field, but also because of the impact on her family.
Both Walker’s mother, Joanne and grandmother (Nana) have battled cancer which made her drive to get into the field even stronger.
“I wanted to make an impact and make people feel the way that other nurses made my mom and nana feel,” Walker said.
In fact, it was a fellow Scranton women’s soccer alum with whom Walker was able to create a connection at Sloan Kettering as Becca Russo also works on the adult inpatient Bone Marrow Transplant floor.
The two were teammates on the 2019 Royals’ women’s soccer team and are now teaming up to help patients in their fight against cancer.
“Noelle was an exceptional student-athlete and teammate during her time at Scranton. It is incredible to have two former women’s soccer players working together at Sloan Kettering and shows how the connections that are made at the University and through the women’s soccer program will last forever,” Scranton head women's soccer coach and Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Colleen Pivirotto said.
Though her passion for nursing and oncology is readily evident, Walker has not only made an impact on her patients, but also on friends and teammates.
“As a friend, Noelle always treats others with kindness, compassion and good humor. As a teammate, Noelle always demonstrated hard work and dedication, exemplifying what it means to be a student-athlete and always handling herself with grace. These qualities will be valuable as a nurse at Sloan Kettering where her coworkers and patients will quickly learn how lucky they are to have her,” close friend and teammate Mary Haggerty said. “I know Noelle will excel as a nurse and I am so excited to see what she will accomplish in her career!”
During her time at Scranton, she earned Dean’s List honors in all eight semesters and was a three-time member of the Landmark Conference Academic Honor Roll. Walker added that this helped her feel extremely prepared for her new role.
“The Scranton nursing program is phenomenal, and I felt so prepared thanks to all of the teachers and professors,” Walker said.
Her desire to do whatever she can to help her patients and make them feel important is what has set up Noelle Walker for a long and successful career as a nurse.
