Extraordinary Healer® Award for Oncology Nursing

Two pediatric oncology nurses created a food pantry to ease food insecurity, providing weekly groceries that help families focus on their child's cancer care.

Zachary Rieke, of MD Anderson Cancer Center, pioneered a screening tool to identify and address food insecurity among pain management patients.

Susan Rux, RN, of Fox Chase Cancer Center, leads federally funded research to expand clinical trial access for underrepresented kidney cancer patients while mentoring the next generation of oncology nurses.

Anna Cummings, BSN, RN, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, manages complex immunotherapy trials while building deep, trusting bonds with her cancer patients.

Katrina Columna, FNP, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, blends deep clinical expertise with steady compassion across GI and GYN oncology and early-phase clinical trials.

Catina Pitzen, BSN, RN, of Eisai US, leads Columbus P.ink Day, helping breast cancer survivors transform surgical scars into meaningful tattoo art.

Bradford Aldrich, RN, of Brigham and Women's Hospital, creates moments of joy and connection for cancer patients through small gestures and a journal project that lets patients heal one another.

Tracy Peck, RN, of Urology Specialists of the Carolinas, doubled her clinic's patient volume while creating "Elevator Bob," a peer support initiative that's now reached communities nationwide.

Amanda Smith, registered nurse, of Huntsman Cancer Institute, helped lead novel research on MPN drug safety during pregnancy, earning co-authorship and her mentor's highest praise.

Nurse Navigator Nicola Stewart helped a Vietnamese-speaking patient with metastatic colon cancer overcome language, financial and care barriers.

Tammy Zinn, a finalist for the Extraordinary Healer Award, reflects on the personal loss that led her to oncology nursing and the programs she built to support patients.

In a Q&A with CURE, oncology nurse Jill Winther reflects on advocacy, holistic care, and what's kept her in the field for 35 years.

Oncology nurse Tammy Zinn, an Extraordinary Healer finalist, discusses hope, advocacy, and launching Emma's Wish for patients with cancer.

Oncology nurse Jill Winther discusses why understanding treatment reasoning and advocating for patients matters most in cancer care.

Oncology nurse Jill Winther was honored for decades of patient advocacy, education and compassionate support across cancer care settings.

Jill Winther earned CURE’s 2026 Extraordinary Healer® Award for her leadership, advocacy and dedication to oncology nursing.

Sara Gideon, nurse practitioner, is a compassionate oncology nurse who supports patients with cancer, streamlines care and leads with dedication.

Amanda Snyder, a cancer survivor, became an oncology nurse to provide support she once lacked, now leading innovative therapies for patients.

Katherine has an exquisite instinct for understanding that there is a context to each patient’s diagnosis that is just as important to understand.

Christine Simonelli, B.S.N., RN, CCRC, OCN, is amazing, and goes out of her way to help patients and providers.

Kathleen Shuey, M.S., RN, SCON, ACNS-BC, listens and guides us in the right direction in caring for our oncology population.

Heather Patenaude, B.S.N., RN, displays the highest level of technical skills necessary to provide compassionate care to her patients.

Gayle S. Jameson, M.S.N, ACNP-BC, AOCN, is a trailblazer whose expertise and compassion have made a profound impact on oncology care.

Dr. Susan Rux, a respected nursing leader and researcher, empowers teams, mentors future leaders, and advances inclusive clinical research in kidney cancer.

Mary Anderson, B.S.N., RN, OCN, embodies the spirit of an Extraordinary Healer.

For the past 2 years, I have worked alongside Carmela Cuccurullo, NP.

This is a joint nomination by Camille Moses and Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez.