Jaclyn Fusco, NP

About Jaclyn Fusco

Through the majority of her childhood, Jaclyn Fusco, PNP, watched nurses care for her brother who was battling Leukemia. She admired his nurses’ abilities to provide compassionate care to him. “I knew nursing was going to be a profession where I could make a direct impact on my patients’ health and experience,” she says.

Jaclyn studied medicine in Rochester, NY, first at St. John Fisher College where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Then she graduated from Maryville University with her Master of Science degree in PNP Primary Care. She chose to specialize in pediatric pulmonology because she has asthma, which affected her everyday routine, including playing college sports.

With formal college training and real-life work experience, Jaclyn is skilled at providing direct patient care to pediatric patients, coordinating treatment regimens and following up with patient disease progression. “After starting my nursing career within a pediatric and adult bone marrow transplant unit, I quickly realized I wanted to advance my education and have increased responsibility in my patients’ plan of care,” she says.

A patient-family centered approach to creating individualized treatment regimens is Jaclyn’s philosophy as a provider. She believes in educating the child and their family so they can reach optimal health and feel confident to continue care from home. “My patients have taught me what is important in life, including health being at the top of the list,” she says.

In her own words…

Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?  My brother Luke who battled Leukemia for seven years until he passed away at age 15.

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  My first job was babysitting for the neighbors kids. I remember we had lots of game nights, snack foods and movies. Then I became a lifeguard and taught swim lessons in high school, which I felt was rewarding as I was able to help kids gain confidence in the water.

What is your favorite food?  Favorite food: Chicken Riggies from Utica, NY

What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  Best subjects: Math, science    Worst subject: History

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  My brother Luke, just to catch up.

In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about?  My family, friends and, since moving to South Bend, I have become a big Notre Dame football fan.

What are your hobbies, interests?  Whenever I can be outside, I am. I love hiking, skiing, going for a run or just sitting on my balcony with a book. I like to travel – love the ocean. I am crafty. I learned to knit from my grandmother when I was 5.

What is something most people don’t know about you?  I played soccer throughout my childhood and all four years of college while completing my nursing degree.