Extraordinary Healer Vol. 18

Three nurses—Maria Hicinbothem, Wandaris Ortiz, and Sandi Wetherbee—are being celebrated for their exceptional dedication to patient care, safety and advocacy.

Susan K. Bohnenkamp, an oncology clinical nurse specialist, is recognized for her compassionate and expert care, going above and beyond to support her patients through their cancer journey.

A colleague wrote about a dedicated oncology nurse who excels in patient care, demonstrates exceptional clinical skills and consistently goes above and beyond to improve patient outcomes.

Two colleagues of an oncology nurse highlight her utmost respect for patients and as a liaison to the greater team.

An oncology nurse from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute exudes the definition of an extraordinary healer, according to three colleagues.

A colleague and a patient with cancer each submitted nominating essays about an oncology nurse who made an impact in their lives.

Two patients reflected on how extraordinary their oncology nurses are — even noting that they forget about their cancer when talking with their nurses.

Several colleagues, patients and caregivers nominated Jill May, B.S.N., RN, OCN, for the 2024 Extraordinary Healer Award for her dedicating to caring for those with gastrointestinal cancers.

Two colleagues of Amy Wallace, an oncology nurse, nominated her for the Extraordinary Healer Award based on her care of patients with lung cancer.

An extraordinary oncology nurse guided cancer care for a man who was legally blind.

Keri is also a true partner in the management and care of the whole patient.

Rachele is a cancer survivor herself. She can apply her story when relating to patients and their families.

An oncology nurse who is a cancer survivor herself fiercely advocates for all her patients.

I could tell from the way the staff and patients spoke of her that she was special, and I quickly saw for myself, too.

Not only Julie Kirby, RN, OCN, make a recovery, but she has returned to nursing and manages our chemotherapy department.

I have watched her jump through rings of fire time and time again to advocate for her patients.

My son has been in the battle of winning over cancer for almost 10 years and was excited to have an African American woman added to his care team.

“I take, perhaps, greater pride and have maybe a little bit of jealousy when I hear that my patients have been looking forward to seeing their nurse Tamara Carey, APRN in clinic,” an oncologist wrote.

Her beautiful smile and handy note pad were always there when we needed her most at the infusion center.

Being a breast cancer survivor herself, Nancy knows how to connect with the patients. She understands what they are going through, and she knows what types of testing or medications are needed for their diagnosis.

Dana Oswald, APRN, moved from Ohio to rural Alaska three years ago, and has been providing excellent patient care there ever since.

Jenifer Keeler Smith, B.S.N., RN exemplified care for her patients, not just as a nurse, but as a caring friend.

Gina Young, B.S.N., RN, has extraordinary diversity in her knowledge and has a comprehensive understanding of the care required for patients with complex cases.

Compassionate, caring and courageous are the words I would use to describe Marianne Smith, RN, ONC.

Luca Biagiotti, RN, did everything he could to build a relationship with this patient and make him feel less lonely at the hospital.

Under her exceptional leadership in oncology navigation, the impact on patient outcomes has been nothing short of transformative.

As someone who watched her father battle cancer, I can tell you firsthand how much of a difference a great oncology nurse can make in a patient’s journey.

Jessica MacIntyre, M.B.A., DNP, APRN, AOCNP, was a huge help to me and my family during my three bouts with cancer as well as my stem cell transplant in 2016.

For 41 years, Fiona Wilkie, RN, has been making oncology patients (and her co- workers) smile.

Elzbieta Kowalski, M.S.N., RN, CCRN, places service to patients, co-workers and others at the forefront of all her actions and embraces our organization’s service excellence standards.