Nurses Leading the Way in Cancer Care

Emily Armstrong, Rose Sawyer and Hanna Whitfield, oncology nurses, are recognized for their dedication, expertise and patient advocacy at Denver Health.

Emily Armstrong is one of the best nurses I have had the privilege to have worked with. Her level of wisdom and care for her patients is unmatched.

I was a newer oncology nurse, and she was always my go-to resource when we worked together. She was knowledgeable on the different reasons why we administer drugs over a certain amount of time and how different regimens differ. Her knowledge of chemotherapy extended beyond the basics of nursing knowledge, and she knew many pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions when treating oncologic symptoms. She was always willing to share her knowledge with me.

Now that we work at different clinics and I am more experienced, she frequently brings up in conversation differences of practices, and questions what is most beneficial or what is evidence-based. If it is an outdated practice, she pushes for change and questions the practice with her management. This increases the quality and improves patient experience wherever she is working. She is an excellent clinician and an asset to our profession.

Emily fights very hard for her patients. She will adamantly advocate for a patient when she sees the need. I have seen this on too many different occasions to provide a specific example. Her expertise allows her to confidently do this despite her sometimes-timid personality. Emily is especially helpful, always willing to grab her patients a blanket, position them or give them encouragement. Emily constantly works for the best possible outcome for her patients and increases the level of the nursing professionalism wherever she practices.

The Love and Care of Rose Sawyer

Rose Sawyer has been serving as an oncology nurse at Denver Health for nearly 10 years and is a key player in cancer care delivery for our patients. Denver Health serves as the safety net hospital for Denver County, where the majority of our patients live below the federal poverty line and are covered by either Medicare or Medicaid, or do not have insurance.

Prior to joining the Denver Health Oncology clinic team, Rose served as an infusion nurse for several years. The skills and experience she obtained during that time have had an incredible impact on the care she provides to our patients. She is particularly passionate about and masterful in providing our patients education about their systemic treatment. With each new treatment start, she has an appointment with the patient to educate them about their treatment and to answer their questions that have not yet been covered.

Her time as an infusion nurse has not only given her expertise in the various side effects of the medications, but also in the expectations for infusion days and the expected timing of side effects. She teaches each of her patients all this information, and in doing so builds an incredible relationship with her patients that lasts throughout their care and beyond. Her patients trust her and look to her for help as they experience the day-to-day symptoms the chemotherapy can cause and the emotional toll that cancer has on them.

Rose is a solid rock for her patients and a consistent source of encouragement, advice and love for her patients as they undergo some of the most difficult times of their lives. She provides peace in a time of tumult when nothing is sure. The impact Rose has on their lives is invaluable, allowing her patients to have the best opportunity to endure their treatment and achieve their hoped-for outcomes.

Committed Compassion for Patients

Ruth Cummings has been an oncology nurse for more than 30 years. She has experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The majority of this experience has been in a clinic setting which has expanded and evolved through the years.

She is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and took it upon herself to pursue ONC certification before it was a standard requirement for employment in oncology. This achievement attests to her expertise in oncology nursing.

Ruth has demonstrated great compassion and commitment for her career and to her patients. She has worked tirelessly to care for hematology and oncology patients. She collaborates closely with the team to ensure that the care provided to each veteran is individualized according to clinical needs.

In addition, Ruth can often be seen going above and beyond the requirements of her job to ensure that patient needs are met by checking and rechecking orders and treatment modalities. She can often be seen bringing in items to provide diversional activities for patients including decorations, books, magazines, puzzle books, etc. She can also be seen bringing in food items to help those who have difficulty eating. She wants to make sure that patients are comfortable during every treatment. She loves what she does and loves her patients.

Ruth has shown tremendous compassion to each and every patient and family. For example, there was a young veteran who was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Ruth took care of this young man through his treatment regimen. They developed an everlasting connection and bond that has lasted through the years. The veteran recovered from his cancer and makes every effort to seek out Ruth during every visit to the Veterans Health Administration (VA) for other healthcare needs.

Ruth is dedicated to the VA mission — “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” — by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans. No matter what the situation, Ruth arrives early and stay late to ensure that every patient is taken care of. She is an “extraordinary healer” who is worthy of this recognition and duly deserves it.

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