Extraordinary Healer® Volume 17

Rectal cancer is an overwhelming diagnosis for patients to receive. Anica Bausch's, B.S.N., RN, OCN calm and compassionate demeanor helps patients manage their anxiety and fears surrounding treatment and prognosis.

Jessica Smith, B.S.N., RN, OCN, has been an oncology nurse for 27 years and continues to provide personalized, compassionate care to her patients as a direct care oncology nurse.

Imagine you just received a diagnosis of leukemia; you have no idea what the next steps will be or what your future holds, but you’re greeted with a smile from a nurse who reassures you that “You are in the right place, and we will help you through everything.”

Everything was hitting me all at once, and then it happened: Megha Shah, B.S.N., RN, OCN, walked into the room, and I found complete peace in her smile.

"Kristen Mitchell, A.D.N., or 'Mom,' as I affectionately call her, is the epitome of what every oncology nurse should strive to be."

During an uncertain time, Missy Bean-Tanner, RN, brings inner peace and reassurance. She will jump into anything if she knows it will help her patients.

It is that one-to-one communication that allows Kimberly Rosencrance, B.S.N., RN, OCN, to excel as an oncology nurse.

Among the extraordinary collection of givers are singular nurses who stand above the rest like a beacon guiding the profession toward its highest order. Anthony “Tony” Reynolds, RN, of ARH Cancer Center is one such nurse.

For a young girl dying of cancer, whose mother had other children at home to take care of, Sobha Akkar, B.S.N., RN, OCN, became a motherly figure.

I knew that I was only one of Myra Escudero's, M.S.N., RN, many patients, but she made me feel as though I had her full attention and care.

Georgia Smith's, M.S.N., FNP-BC, impact both at the bedside and as a nurse practitioner is incredible.

Carrie Williams, M.S.N./Ed, RN, was the nurse who gave me my introduction into the world of chemotherapy treatment.

Linda Giamalva, B.S.N., RN-BC, NC IV, provides excellent care to all her patients and goes above and beyond to meet their needs.

Not only does Amanda Kelm, B.S.N., RN, OCN, build a rapport with the patient and family, but she also assesses the patient and determines their proper mode of transportation.

Afton Dickerson, M.S.N., ACAGNP-BCP, CBCN, came across many nurses and nurse practitioners who changed her life for the better. Once in remission of her own cancer, she immediately enrolled in school to become an oncology nurse.

As cliche as it may sound, Kelly Bryant, RN, is the first nurse to arrive and the last nurse to leave each and every day she works.

Deborah Lorick, M.S.N., M.H.A., RN, RNOCN, was the assistant nurse manager on the oncology unit where my husband was a patient. Deborah was always making sure that my husband, my children and I were well cared for.

When Mary Colasuonno, B.S.N., RN, BMTCN, set her first career goal, it was about as far from nursing as it could be: She wanted to be a commercial artist.

In her career as a nurse, Mary Colasuonno, B.S.N., RN, BMTCN, has always made a conscious effort to make every interaction count.

An interview with Kerry O’Neil, B.S.N., RN, OCN, finalist for the 2023 Extraordinary Healer® award.

In her 40 years as an oncology nurse and supervisor, Kerry O’Neil, B.S.N., RN, OCN, has eased the way for thousands of patients with cancer and their families

An interview with Abbey Kaler, M.S., APRN, FNP-C, CMSRN, winner of the 2023 Extraordinary Healer® award.

Oncology nurse, Abbey Kaler, M.S., APRN, FNP-C, CMSRN daily follows the motto “Love, Listen and Heal.”