Oncology Nurses Corner: Tiniska J. Brooks

VA’s National Oncology Program (NOP) is one of the leading cancer care programs in the country, advancing cancer care and research to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with America’s Veterans and help President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative. At the core of NOP, as with all health care, is its nursing team.

In celebration of these incredible health care workers, each month NOP will highlight an oncology nurse who works tirelessly for Veterans throughout VHA. This month, get to know thoracic cancer nurse Tiniska J. Brooks, RN, from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. Brooks earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch and has a Master of Business Administration specializing in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas at Tyler. She was a 2021-2022 VHA Diffusion of Excellence Fellow.

Tell us about yourself. What is your personal background and what led you to VA and cancer care?

As a nursing student, I was eager, steadfast and sought learning opportunities near and far. In 2009, I was selected as a nursing extern by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. It was there that a seed was planted, and my career in oncology bloomed.

Now 12 years and counting, I have been affiliated with professional organizations, presented at national conferences, and authored best practices.

At the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, I championed the development of the Cancer Care Navigation Program, leading to Commission on Cancer (CoC) Accreditation in three pivotal standards: Patient Navigation Process, Addressing Barriers to Care, and Quality Improvement.

My most notable achievement to date was national recognition as a 2021 VHA Shark Tank Winning Practice Winner.

Why the VA, you ask?

The Veteran. Plain and simple. When I think of each of our Veterans’ sacrifices, it is truly my pleasure to serve.

What is your favorite thing about working at VA?

The Diversity. It is a melting pot of cultures and experiences. The interconnected network from coast to coast is what impresses me the most. I’m aligned with people who, like myself, are committed to providing best practices and outstanding care to our Veterans.

What would surprise people about cancer care at VA?

We can be reactive but also proactive in our care delivery models. Many private institutions’ reach is relative to geographical location and often demographically driven. At VA, we can eliminate the red tape by providing national accessibility to underserved and marginalized communities. We can target national metrics for minority disparities based solely on the population we serve: Veterans, active duty and their families. I am VA-proud.

Tell us something unique about yourself.

By licensure, I am a registered nurse, but I am also a caregiver. I work and function with both lenses, using a holistic approach that drives everything I do: A partner, a collaborator and a patient advocate.

I aspire to enable equitable accessibility, model high-reliability organization behaviors, and be a connective thread for Veterans and our facilities.