CURE® readers have a unique opportunity each year to honor oncology nurses who have helped guide them through the cancer experience. 
 Many thoughtful nomination essays are prepared and submitted by patients, survivors, caregivers and health care professionals describing the inspirational compassion, expertise and helpfulness that a special oncology nurse exhibited. Their moving stories are compiled, coupled with compelling photography and published on <a href='https://www.curetoday.com'>curetoday.com</a>. 
 The awards event is held annually to celebrate alongside extraordinary oncology nurses who dedicate their lives to bringing hope and healing. Three finalists and their nominators are honored on-stage, and a winner is announced live at the recognition ceremony. This is a can’t-miss evening with a special guest speaker delivering a keynote address to hundreds of oncology nursing professionals.

Extraordinary Healer®

Laura J. Vasquez, RN, CPON

Beverly M. Moser, RN, BSN, OCN

Elmeria S. Teffeteller, MSN, APRN-AOCN

Lynne Malestic, RN

Carmi Fazio, RN, BSN, ONA

Diana Gordon, RN, MSN, CNCP, CPON

Sara Sargente, RN, OCN

Jessica Kobs, BSN, RN

Janet Schadee, RN, MHA

Christine Stone, RN, MSN, OCN

Elizabeth Davis, BSN, RN, CPN

Jackie Miller RN, BSN, OCN

Caitlin Cohen, M.S.N., RN, CPNP-AC, CPHON

Angela Hammack, B.S.N., RN, OCN

Barbara Bittner, RN, OCN

Christie Santure, B.S.N., RN, OCN

Vicki Dodson, B.S.N., RN, OCN

Maria Rodriguez, B.S.N., RN

Elizabeth Farrat, B.S.N., RN, CCRN-K

Maria Lim, B.S.N., RN, OCN, BMTCN

Jessica Kelley, M.S.N., B.A., RN, CN

Katherine Gacek, B.S.N., RN, OCN

Margaret Campbell, B.S.N., RN

Clinical Research Nurse

Tammy Allred, RN, OCN

Oncology Nurse Navigator

Livia Szeto, B.S.N., RN, OCN

Abbey Kaler, M.S., APRN, FNP-C, CMSRN

Mary Colasuonno, B.S.N., RN, BMTCN

Kerry O’Neil, B.S.N., RN, OCN

Award-winning actress and author Valerie Harper is best known for her character, Rhoda Morgenstern, on the 1970s sitcoms “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and spin-off “Rhoda.” Harper garnered four Emmy Awards for the role. In addition to her numerous television and film credits, Harper has extensive theater experience, including playing the outrageous actress Tallulah Bankhead in the Broadway play, “Looped.” Nominated for a Tony Award in 2010 for the role, the actress was diagnosed a year earlier with lung cancer. After living cancer-free for four years, she learned in 2013 that her cancer had spread to the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain. While undergoing successful treatment, Harper continues to advocate for cancer research funding.

Valerie Harper

Actor, Cancer Advocate and Ready. Raise. Rise. Spokesperson

Erik Stonestreet

Patrick Dempsey is best known for his portrayal of Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit ABC series, “Grey’s Anatomy.” Over the last 11 years, his performance earned him a 2007 Screen Actors Guild Award. He was nominated for the People’s Choice Awards as lead television actor seven times and in 2015, took home his 3nd award. In addition, Patrick was nominated for the 2006 & 2007 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama and a 2006 Screen Actors Guild nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. Most recently, Dempsey was seen in Universal’s Bridget Jones’s Baby alongside Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth.
 Patrick Dempsey’s production company, Shifting Gears produces content for both television and film. They have optioned the book The Limit, for which they are currently developing a series at SundanceTV as well as a series called “Fodors,” which is being developed at NBC international. Shifting Gears is also a producer on Universal’s, Art of Racing in the Rain
 Alongside his passion for acting, is his great passion for motorsports. Dempsey has been competitively driving and operating his race and championship winning Dempsey Racing team for nearly a decade. In 2013 Dempsey starred in the docu-series, “Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans” for Velocity Channel, produced by Shifting Gears. The series follows Dempsey as he serves as both owner and driver for an auto racing team tackling the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans – the world’s oldest automotive endurance race. Dempsey served as both the executive producer and on-air focus for the series.
 In 2008, he opened the doors of the “Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing” in his hometown of Lewiston, Maine. Each fall, the Dempsey Challenge, a run, walk and cycle fundraising experience takes place to raise funds for free support, education and integrative medicine services to anyone impacted by cancer.
 His film credits include: TRANSFORMERS: Dark of The Moon, Valentine’s Day, Made of Honor, Enchanted, Freedom Writers, Sweet Home Alabama, Scream 3, With Honors, Outbreak, Hugo Pool, The Treat, The Palace Thief, Heaven Help Us, Happy Together, Some Girls, Coupe De Ville, Run, Mobsters, and In the Mood. Dempsey became well known from such classic ‘80s nostalgia films such as, Can’t Buy Me Love and Loverboy.
 Dempsey nabbed an Emmy nomination in 2001 for his portrayal of “Aaron Brooks,” Sela Ward’s psychologically unbalanced brother in the critically acclaimed television program, “Once & Again.” In 2003, he made a memorable guest appearance on NBC’s hit show, “Will & Grace,” as Will’s love interest and in 2004 co-starred in the highly-acclaimed HBO production, Iron Jawed Angels, opposite Hilary Swank and Anjelica Huston.
 Additionally, Dempsey starred in the NBC movie based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment opposite Ben Kingsley. He also appeared in the television miniseries, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Michael Caine. He co-starred with Oliver Reed in the biblical epic, Jeremiah. Other television movies and miniseries include JFK: Reckless Youth, A Season in Purgatory, Blood Knot, The Right to Remain Silent, Shallow Grave, and Blonde.
 Born and raised in Lewiston, Maine, he first appeared onstage as David in the San Francisco production of “Torch Song Trilogy.” Other early stage work included “On Golden Pond” for the Maine Acting Company, the international touring production of “Brighton Beach Memoirs” which was directed by Gene Saks and “The Subject Was Roses” at the Roundabout Theatre in New York. He also took the stage in The Pasadena Playhouse run of “The Importance of Being Earnest” as Algernon Moncrieff.

Patrick Dempsey

Robin Roberts is co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning America. Under her leadership, the broadcast has won five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program and the 2017 People's Choice Award for Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team. She has conducted interviews with countless newsmakers, musicians, authors, athletes and celebrities. Additionally, Roberts has done extensive reporting around the globe. 
 Roberts has been honored with the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame and named one of Glamour's Women of the Year. She has also been on the Hollywood Reporter's New York Power List multiple times. She was voted the "Most Trusted Person on Television" by a Reader's Digest poll in 2013.
 Roberts launched her new production company, Rock'n Robin Productions in September 2014, which creates original broadcast and digital programming for ABC and other networks, including Roberts own podcast Everybody's Got Something. 
 Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2007. Five years later she was diagnosed with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome, a disease of the blood and bone marrow once known as pre-leukemia. Roberts underwent a bone marrow transplant in September of that year. She was honored with a George Foster Peabody Award, Gracie Award and CINE Award for "Robin's Journey," reports on her MDS that inspired hundreds of potential bone marrow donors to register. Additionally, Roberts was recognized with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY's in July 2013. In 2001, In 2001, 
 Roberts was named a "Louisiana Legend" by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. She was also named to the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Advisory Board in January 1998. 
 Roberts was named co-anchor of Good Moring America in May 2005. She began contributing to the morning program in June 1995 and has worked in broadcasting for more than 20 years.
 From 1990 to 2005, Roberts was a contributor to ESPN, where she hosted SportsCenter and contributed to NFL PrimeTime. Previously, Roberts was a sports reporter and anchor at WAGA-TV in Atlanta and a morning personality on WVEE-FM. Roberts began her broadcasting career while in college at WHMD/WFPR Radio in Hammond, Louisiana.
 In 1983, Roberts graduated cum laude from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She was a standout performer on the women's basketball team, ending her career as one of the school's all-time leading scorers and rebounder.
 Roberts' first book, From the Heart: 7 Rules to Live By, was published in 2007. An updated version of the book, including an additional chapter on her battle with breast cancer, was released in 2008.
 In her latest memoir Everybody's Got Something, Roberts tells the amazing story of her courageous battle against a life-threatening illness, the life lessons she continues to learn, and her inspiring return to the Good Morning America anchor desk. A native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Roberts currently resides in New York City.

Robin Roberts

New York Times best-selling author and the winner of the Fan Favorite award at the 2014 Daytime Emmy Awards, Giuliana Rancic is an entertainment journalist, author, entrepreneur, fashion designer and beauty expert with over 3.5 million devoted followers on Twitter and 10 million followers across her social media platforms. She is the co-star of E!'s hugely popular Fashion Police team and has been on the red carpet for every mega-event in the entertainment industry (Oscars, Grammy Awards, Golden Globes) interviewing the stars and getting breaking Hollywood scoop as well as fashion tips, diet and fitness advice, travel tips and all things pop culture. Giuliana recently created her own signature brand of wine, Xo, G. It's unique in that four single serve shatter-proof cups make up one bottle. It can be found at Walmart and other large retailers across the country and Canada. It is launching in other international territories in 2016 and was recently voted one of the top selling new wine brands of 2015.
 Giuliana launched her own clothing line, G by Giuliana, on HSN - the most successful clothing line debut on HSN in 2012 and won the highly coveted HSN Best Brand Launch award. Three years in, G by Giuliana has become one of the most successful clothing brands on HSN, as well as the highest grossing apparel brand on HSN.com.
 In April 2015, her highly anticipated memoir, Going Off Script was released by Random House and made several lists on the highly coveted New York Times Best Sellers List.
 In 2006, Rancic released her highly-praised debut book, Think Like A Guy: How to Get a Guy By Thinking Like One. It is a practical and funny handbook of rules on landing the man of your dreams. In 2010, Rancic released her second book, I Do, Now What?, published by Random House. Giuliana co-authored the book with her husband, Bill Rancic.
 In 2013, Rancic created "Fab-U-Wish," a program to grant fashion, beauty and celebrity-themed wishes to women battling breast cancer. This program is just one aspect of her ongoing mission to help those going through hardships to find happiness and a positive outlook on life. Others charitable initiatives include The Pink Agenda, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Operation Smile, Dress For Success, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago and the Children's Miracle Networks.
 In 2002, Giuliana joined E! News as a correspondent and in 2005 became solo anchor and managing editor for the show, taking it from the lowest rated show on the network to number one...incredibly within one year. 
 Giuliana recently retired from her role as anchor on E! News to focus on her clothing line, wine company, her charity, as well as other endeavors in television and digital. Giuliana's recent awards include "Fan Favorite" at the 2014 Daytime Emmy Awards, HSN's 2013 "Brand of the Year" award for her clothing line G by Giuliana, the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation's "Caring Is Sexy Award," "Sexiest Mom" from Victoria's Secret "What Is Sexy?" Awards, "Beautiful Humanitarian" award from Professional Beauty Association, the "Ellen Stovall Award" from Lilly Oncology and NCCS and Operation Smile's 2011 "Universal Smiles" award.
 Rancic is a force both on-camera and off but her remarkable success didn't come easily. She is a true result of "The American Dream" and an inspiration to people, both young and old. She was born in Naples, Italy, in a modest neighborhood, and moved to the United States when she was a little girl. Her love affair with television journalism began before she could even speak English - her parents couldn't afford a tutor, so she learned the language by watching TV. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in journalism from American University. While in attendance, Giuliana worked for a Capitol Hill news bureau covering a number of stories related to the Pentagon, Supreme Court, White House and State Department.

Guiliana Rancic

Rita Wilson, a multi-talented actress, producer, singer/songwriter made her TV debut in 1972. Since, the triple threat has donned her producers cap for the record-breaking box-office hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Wilson was the driving force behind bringing Nia Vardalos’ semi-autobiographical story to the screen with Vardalos as the lead and was honored with the Visionary Award from the Producer’s Guild of America, the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Comedy, as well as Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. Rita’s instincts proved solid once again when she saw the theatrical production of Mamma Mia! in London shortly after it opened. Rita’s love of ABBA’s music led her to secure the rights and develop the film, which was filmed on location in Greece. She served as a producer on the 2008 Universal hit that starred Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, and serves as Executive Producer for its sequel, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! released on July 20, 2018 by Universal Pictures. As an actor, Rita’s recent film work includes Boy Genius, the film for which she also contributed the original song, “Sometimes Love,” as well as the American remake of the feature film Gloria Bell for Academy Award-winning director Sebastian Lelio, starring Julianne Moore and Jon Turturro. Rita also co-wrote and sang, “Heart Unknown” for the film Simple Wedding, which made its premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival in September 2018. In March of 2019 Rita received a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame celebrating her rich and notable film career. Rita’s first love, however, is music. In May 2012 Rita realized a lifelong dream with the debut of her solo album AM/FM. The album, which is on Decca/Verve Records, is an intimate, elegant and beautifully sung collection of covers of her favorite songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s. In March 2016, Rita released her self-titled second album, Rita Wilson, which showcases her skill for creating insightful, eloquent singer-songwriter pop music that is etched with stunning honesty. For two years prior to the release, Rita worked with a host of the finest Award-winning and best-selling songwriters and producers in both Los Angeles and Nashville. Her latest album Halfway to Home (March 2019) has a fuller sound; Southern California rock meets Nashville country. The album was recorded mostly in Nashville and co-produced by Rita and Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift, Keith Urban) with additional production from Ron Aniello (Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa) and John Shanks (Bon Jovi, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow). Many of the songs were co-written with an A-List group including Grammy winner Liz Rose, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Mozella (Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus), Mitch Allan (Demi Lovato), and Kara DioGuardi (Pink, Kelly Clarkson). In her personal life, Wilson had a tough-to-diagnose disease, lobular carcinoma in situ, which led to her invasive lobular carcinoma diagnosis in 2015. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer and has since been cancer-free. For over 20 years, Wilson and her husband, Tom Hanks, have been honorary co-chairs of the Women's Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), specializing in raising money for women's cancers that has helped move the needle forward by funding innovative cancer research—most notably, the Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Project. WCRF recently partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) that was founded by Evelyn Lauder that will help further their ability to fast-track more effective approaches to the study and early diagnosis of women’s cancers. 2020 has been notable for Wilson and her prolific and varied musical projects. She was one of the first in the public eye to test positive for COVID-19. While in quarantine and recovering from the virus, she posted a clip of herself on Instagram rapping along perfectly to the multi-platinum 1992 hit “Hip Hop Hooray,” which she had learned for her role in the film, Boy Genius. Intended to bring hope and a smile, the clip went viral and ultimately resulted in Wilson and Naughty By Nature teaming up for, “Hip Hop Hooray (Remix).” The single was released via Tommy Boy Music in April, with net profits donated to the MusiCares® Foundation Inc. COVID-19 Relief Fund to help those in the music community affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Rita Wilson

Sterling K. Brown

Patrick Dempsey most recently completed production on Disenchanted opposite Amy Adams for Disney+, which is slated for a 2022 release. Dempsey currently stars in the SKY television series, Devils, which is set to return for a season 2 and will be released internationally this spring. Other recent credits include Universal’s Bridget Jones’s Baby alongside Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth, and the EPIX mini-series The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.
 Dempsey is best known for his portrayal of Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit ABC series, Grey’s Anatomy from 2005-2015. His performance earned him a 2007 Screen Actors Guild Award and was nominated in 2006 and 2007 for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama. Patrick recently returned for a recurring arc in the 17th season.
 Patrick's production company, Shifting Gears produces content for both film and television. A couple of these are the Disney feature The Art of Racing in the Rain and The Orchard documentary Hurley. Current projects include the feature film A Book For Burning in addition to a number of documentaries and docuseries.
 Patrick’s film credits include: Transformers: Dark of The Moon, Valentine’s Day, Made of Honor, Enchanted, Freedom Writers, Sweet Home Alabama, Scream 3, With Honors, Outbreak, Hugo Pool, The Treat, The Palace Thief, Heaven Help Us, Happy Together, Some Girls, Coupe De Ville, Run, Mobsters, and In the Mood. Dempsey became well known from such classic ‘80s nostalgia films such as, Can’t Buy Me Love and Loverboy.
 Dempsey first appeared onstage as David in the San Francisco production of Torch Song Trilogy. Other early-stage work included On Golden Pond for the Maine Acting Company, the international touring production of Brighton Beach Memoirs which was directed by Gene Saks and The Subject Was Roses at the Roundabout Theatre in New York. He also took the stage in The Pasadena Playhouse run of The Importance of Being Earnest as Algernon Moncrieff.
 Dempsey is born and raised in Lewiston, Maine. In 2008, with the intention of giving back to the community where he grew up and where his mother first received cancer treatment in 1997, Patrick founded the Dempsey Center to help make life better for people managing the impact of cancer. Since 2009, Patrick has returned to Lewiston-Auburn every fall for the annual Dempsey Challenge. The annual fundraiser raises funds, so all services offered by the Center are free of charge. In 2016, Patrick took on an advisory role and in 2018 he became a Dempsey Center board member so he could continue to help support those impacted by cancer.
 Dempsey resides in Los Angeles.

Shannon Miller competed in TWO Olympic Games, earning 7 Olympic medals! (2 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze) She is the only female athlete to be inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame – Twice! (Individual (2006) and Team (2008)).
 
 
 Shannon has won an astounding 59 International and 49 National competition medals. Over half of these have been gold. She is the first US gymnast to win 2 World All-Around Titles. Her tally of five medals (2 silver, 3 bronze) at the 1992 Olympics was the most medals won by a US athlete in any sport. At the ’96 Games, she led the “Magnificent Seven” to the US Women’s first ever Team Gold and for the first time for any American gymnast, she captured Gold on the Balance Beam. 
 
 
 After retiring from Olympic competition, Shannon received her undergraduate degrees in marketing and entrepreneurship from the University of Houston and her law degree from Boston College.
 
 
 Shannon remains a part of the gymnastics and Olympic communities as an analyst and commentator. 
 
 
 In 2010, Shannon launched her company devoted to helping women make their health a priority. She continues to travel the country as a highly sought-after motivational speaker on topics ranging from The Gold Medal Mindset to cancer and survivorship to the importance of health and fitness. 
 
 
 In January of 2011, Shannon was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. She had the baseball sized tumor removed successfully and followed up with an aggressive chemotherapy regimen. Shannon has remained open and public about her diagnosis and treatment and continues to empower women to make their health a priority. Shannon is currently cancer-free and continues to be a strong advocate for early detection, awareness, research and survivorship. 
 
 
 Shannon’s passion is to help encourage and empower others to break through and overcome their own personal challenges with the Gold Medal Mindset, a mindset that we can all attain. 
 
 
 Shannon is a mother of two, cancer survivor, author and sports analyst but she will forever be remembered for her focus, determination and as the leader of the Magnificent Seven!

Shannon Miller