Oncology Nurse Amanda Snyder Turns Personal Experience Into Advocacy

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

This nomination has been a long time coming for this special oncology nurse, Amanda Snyder. Why, might you ask? Well, I’m here to outline: This is a second career for Amanda. Her first career was as a dental hygienist.

While working as a hygienist, Amanda was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She went through chemotherapy and radiation. During her treatment period, she felt unsupported by the staff. That’s when she decided to go to nursing school and dedicate her career to oncology. And that she has. After nursing school, which she received a certificate from UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, she took an in-patient position on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. She worked there during one of the most challenging times on the transplant unit, the height of the COVID pandemic. Amanda then transferred to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, outpatient unit, where I met her and had the privilege of working with her.

She furthered her knowledge by learning about solid tumors, treatment regimens, and the outpatient world. Amanda implemented extra caring techniques, as this is what had driven her to be a nurse after her own cancer experience.

Amanda championed photobiomodulation therapy on our unit, is considered a subject matter expert, has trained multiple outpatient cancer floors in our building, has aided outside institutions with the implementation of this program, and has been approached to help with a master’s level project. What is photobiomodulation, you may ask? It is laser light therapy. This therapy has been an integral part of our head and neck population. This therapy helps to reduce mucositis, mouth sores, and aids in decreasing thick, ropey saliva that this population of patients is prone to. Why is this helpful? Well, it reduces pain, reduces the use of opioids, and helps the patient to maintain their swallowing function, allowing them to continue with their oral nutrition. This therapy has been so effective with the head and neck cancer population that it is now being used among other cancer diagnoses with reported patient success. Amanda also was able to secure a photobiomodulation machine for our unit.

Amanda’s other achievements are: completed her BSN, successfully passed OCN, is a nurse ambassador, providing integrative therapies to our patients, served on our professional practice council, serves on the Greater Pittsburgh Oncology Nursing Society board as director at large, all while providing the compassion and support to the cancer patient population. Amanda also still maintains her hygienist license too. I could go on and on about Amanda’s accomplishments.

I have been to several CURE dinners at ONS Congress, and all the nominees and winners are caring oncology nurse leaders. I believe that Amanda Snyder has successfully implemented the qualities of an extraordinary healer and should be honored to receive this prestigious award.

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