SUNA SPOTLIGHT: DOREEN PAPAJCIK

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Doreen Papajcik's work history has always revolved around caring for patients with renal and urologic issues. 

The last 10 years have been in outpatient urology at a Family Health Center with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Since CCF Urology has been consistently rated No. 2 in the nation per the US News and World Report, many patients seek care there for conditions not resolved elsewhere.  Therefore, CCF urology work is challenging, yet fulfilling, as the health care team works with patients to achieve satisfactory outcomes. 

Several CCF urologists are world renowned due to the cutting-edge care they provide for such conditions as pelvic floor disorders, bladder, prostate and renal cancers, interstitial cystitis, pelvic pain, renal and urologic stones, pediatric urology and neurogenic bladders. Robotic laparscopic surgeries and neuromodulation procedures are routinely provided. In conjunction with the urologists and the health care team, Doreen has provided varied interventions for patients, such as Interstim®, PTNS (percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation) programming, in-office diagnostics and procedures, teaching and reinforcing intermittent self-catheterization, providing bladder instillations for interstitial cystitis and bladder cancer, and lifestyle management for altered elimination issues.

Due to her recent completion of Post-Master's requirements for Adult NP certificate, Doreen will be leaving the urologic setting to commence CNP work with the hemodialysis population.

“I’ll still be involved with kidneys, but my focus turns back to medical (nephrologic) vs. plumbing (urologic) function,” said Doreen. “I do not intend to lose practice with urology. As a new nurse, I worked with nephrologic/dialysis/transplant population.  Then, for fifteen years, I worked with people with urologic issues. My career goal is to help people learn about and take care of their renal and urologic system in order to prevent or minimize the occurrence and sequelae of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).”

 Working her entire career with CCF "has been a wonderful experience...so many smart, talented people,” states Papajcik. “I've worked amongst people who empower staff to take advantage of learning opportunities; I'm so proud to say I've been there.”

Doreen's CCF experience, prior to outpatient Urology, has included: Urology Research Nurse Coordinator for both internal and external immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals, RN staff at in-patient teens and children unit in psychiatry while completing MSN and clinical Instructor with the inpatient nephrology/kidney transplant/dialysis unit - which stands as a career highlight. 

Doreen's education: BSN from Akron University in 1982, MSN as CNS in psych/mental health from Case Western Reserve University in 1991, and Post-MSN Certificate as an adult NP from CWRU in 2010.

Now a member of Great Lakes SUNA, Doreen served as the master of ceremonies at the GLSUNA “Inside Urology 2011” conference this past February; she has stepped up to chair next year’s conference that will be March 16, 2012, in Livonia, Mich.

“I joined SUNA because it's logical to be involved with the professional organization where one works,” said Doreen. “The benefits include frequent updates on important issues, facilitating certification, gaining confidence to meet the urologic challenges and providing career enhancement opportunities. The magazine articles, including continuing education, are timely. The SUNA colleagues are inspiring; they readily serve as mentors."

On a personal level, Doreen is from a large Cleveland Irish family. Doreen's husband, Mark, a chemical engineer in the manufacturing industry, is a “hard-working, sweet guy with Slovak roots, but is proudly American.”

Their 17-year-old son, Philip, is a high school senior who drums for the renowned Westlake High School marching band. His local band, February’s Finest, has some great music and recently released a CD

In her spare time, Doreen enjoys bicycling, gardening, hanging her clothes on the line to dry and learning. 

Good luck to Doreen in this new chapter of life!