Arlene Ortega, MSN, NP-C, AOCNP

Arlene Ortega, MSN, is a board-certified nurse practitioner (NP-C) and an advanced oncology certified nurse practitioner (AOCNP). She helps care for patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancers such as cancers of the esophagus, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, colon, appendix and anus, as well as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Her aim is to provide compassionate and empathetic care and be a supportive presence to patients as they navigate their cancer journey.

Prior to joining UC San Diego, Ms. Ortega provided care in gynecologic oncology at a private practice in San Diego. As a registered nurse, she cared for patients with various oncologic and hematologic conditions at several hospital systems in California, including Sharp HealthCare, Stanford Health, UC San Diego Health, UC San Francisco Health, and the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

She obtained a master's degree in nursing from University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science and her bachelor's degree in nursing from San Diego State University. Ms. Ortega is a member of the Advanced Practitioner Society of Hematology and Oncology, Oncology Nursing Society and American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling and enjoying a cup of cold brew coffee. She speaks conversational Indonesian.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Gastrointestinal Cancers, Liver Cancers and Cancer Care.