Her Story
About Dorthia
Dorothea D. Cameron serves as an Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, focusing on inpatient palliative medicine and sub-specializing in palliative care. Her healthcare journey began in 1997 as a nurse's aide, advancing through roles as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, and director of nursing at the same facility. She later joined the United States Navy Reserve as a hospital corpsman, completing eight years of service before her honorable discharge in March 2009. In 2015, she obtained her master's degree in Adult Bariatric Primary Care as a nurse practitioner. Cameron's passion lies in facilitating timely goals of care conversations to ensure patients' voices are heard and their options understood. Among her notable achievements is the creation of continuing medical education for the palliative care service line. She maintains active membership in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Geriatric Society, and the Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association. Cameron attributes her success to resilience and her faith in God, and she advises approaching healthcare as a journey rather than a sprint while treating others with kindness and humility.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dorthia
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from resilience, which cannot be taught - you either have it or you don't. My faith in God has also brought me further than anything else could have.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Take your time because healthcare is not a sprint but a journey. Learning happens every single day.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Treat people kindly. Remain humble even when things are difficult. Trust your instincts.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include willingness for others to learn and being receptive to change. Opportunities include a lot of growth now with AI.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, integrity, character, and meeting people where they are.
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