Extraordinary Healer® Award for Oncology Nursing

Luciana Lopes Manfredini, of Einstein Hospital Israelita in São Paulo, Brazil, developed a triage scale for emergency cancer patients now being adopted across North and Latin America.

Melanie Diaz, DNP, NP-C, OCN, of St. Francis Cancer Institute, blends firm accountability with deep empathy to keep cancer patients engaged and empowered throughout treatment.

Sharon Dix, of ThedaCare Appleton, quietly goes above and beyond for her cancer patients — picking up extra shifts, housing a patient's wife and keeping promises at every turn.

Sara Fusco-Parise, of Northwell Health, co-founded Caps of Courage to provide cold caps to breast cancer patients who couldn't afford them out of pocket.

Kaitlyn Palsson, RN, of Utah Cancer Specialists, draws on her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and a deep family history of cancer to bring compassion and purpose to every patient she serves.

Patricia McCrink, MSN, RN, CRT, of Miami Cancer Institute, completed treatment for stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma and returned to nursing with a deeper capacity for compassion and patient advocacy.

Chermaine Wulff of Valley Medical Center goes beyond clinical duties to champion her patients' final wishes, advocate for nursing staff and strengthen oncology nursing across the Pacific Northwest.

Kaitlyn Palsson, RN, of Utah Cancer Specialists, draws on her childhood Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and family history of cancer to bring deep empathy and purpose to every patient interaction.

Kristin Johnson, MSN, RN, OCN, of MD Anderson Cancer Center, combines clinical trials work with volunteer advocacy for ovarian cancer patients and survivors of human trafficking.

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.

Aurora Relampagos blends clinical expertise with compassion, leading scheduling innovations that cut wait times while mentoring colleagues and staff.

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.