THE VITA VITTORIOSA STORY
Where it started, why it started and what we stands for!
Vita Vittoriosa was created by a nurse in memory of her patients! Victoria McIntosh BSN, RN, owner and founder of Vita Vittoriosa, has always been one to tell you she never knew what she wanted to be when she got older! From the age of 18 she spent time traveling, exploring, meeting new people, and learning different jobs/careers trying to find her special niche in life.
At the age of 21, her father was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, originating from genetic mutations, BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. Being a Daddy's girl, this changed her life. Her father always told her he chose her name because he knew she would be Victorious in life and she would always celebrate her Victories. So unlike anything else, this sent the wheels spinning and she was bound and determined to learn this disease process inside and out.
Finding out she was positive for both the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic mutations as well, she devoted years to traveling to different seminars and conferences with her Dad meeting the experts, pre-visors, survivors, other BRCA carriers, surgeons, oncologists, and anyone who could educate her in all different aspects of the disease process. She started to realize her true Victory in life would be helping cancer patients through their journey.
Victoria underwent a Full Total Preventative Mastectomy with Reconstruction at the age of 23. After her mastectomy she quit her full time employment and enrolled in Nursing school. Upon completion of nursing school she went on to become an Inpatient Oncology Nurse, to be able to learn the diseases, treatments, side effects, the inside scoop on what the process was actually like. During her inpatient days, she met an Oncologist who was an oncologist you could only dream of finding. Someone different, someone whose heart truly cared about every SINGLE patient, someone who didn't stop trying, a DOCTOR WHO ACTUALLY LISTENED to their patients, a doctor who didn't talk down to healthcare staff below them, instead they educated, thanked and supported them. The kind of Oncologist EVERY SINGLE PERSON deserves. This was her vision of what Oncology care should look like. She went on then to work with that doctor directly to learn even more about EVERYTHING surrounding Oncology and patient care. All the dreams she had she knew she couldn't do within the hospital setting. After COVID, the hospital setting was even less about patient care. She watched people get diagnosed, receive their first chemotherapy and suffer alone, not even their spouse was allowed in with them. She couldn't stand for that type of care any longer.
Victoria's patients were the ones who truly educated her and made her not only the Nurse but the true person she is today. She has spent all of her time and passion and created Vita Vittoriosa (meaning: beautiful victory) as her Beautiful Victory! She finally found her niche in life. She lives to keep the memories of all of those who made her the nurse she is today, alive. Each of Vita Vittoriosa's treatments are named after one of her past patients who played a huge role in her life, family and career. This beautiful victory is to be able to now as a Registered Nurse, be able to provide Patient Centered Care the way it should be! Each and everyone of the patients who play a part in this company, there memories are tattooed on her right arm as well. If you are interested in learning about some of the strongest people she has ever met just ask her about some of her tattoos!
