Our "Who Helps You Learn Well" Contest Winners

Oncology Nurse Winners

Patient Resource Cancer Guide has acknowledged those oncology nurses whose dedication and compassion has helped cancer patients to Learn Well. We've asked our readers, and the visitors to our Web site to enter the name of the person or group who has inspired them to Learn Well and empowered them to get there. It’s our way of recognizing their invaluable contribution to cancer patients and their families. Each month we choose a winner from each category and send them a thank you gift for their dedication and support.

March 2012 Margaret Kane, RN, OCN Margaret (Peggy) Kane serves her patients as an Oncology Nurse Navigator at the Keiser Permanente Oncology Clinic in Largo, Maryland. Her outstanding nursing career began 31 years ago, with 27 years in oncology. She is a graduate of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Leadership Development Institute. Peggy’s patients particularly appreciate her compassionate leadership as a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) support group facilitator, and she was named the LLS National Capital Hematology /Oncology Nurse of the Year in 2005.

February 2012 Tu Kersavage, RN Tu Kersavage (on right) is a compassionate and caring Nurse Coordinator at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center affiliated with the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She is a highly valued member of the treatment team led by Leonard Sender, MD and works with adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer. A 15-year veteran, Tu is committed to her patients’ care through patient and family education, coordinating proper treatment and interacting with insurance companies when necessary to ensure appropriate authorization.

January 2012 Ericka Ary, RN, OCN As the Manager of Clinical Services for the Texas Oncology clinics at Midland and Odessa since 2004, Ericka Ary oversees a staff of 38 professionals. Her responsibilities include ensuring expert and efficient delivery of oncology services, education and recruitment of the nursing staff and providing clinical care when needed. She is praised most highly for her tireless dedication to oncology patients, her remarkable qualities as a mentor and friend, and the energy and devotion she has brought to her profession for nearly 20 years.

December 2011 Deanna Deck, RN, BSN, OCN Deanna Deck is a Senior RN at Virginia Specialists of Winchester Medical Center (70 miles northwest of Washington D.C.) where she has provided expert care as an infusion nurse for more than 20 years. Deanna is known for her encouragement of patients as she skillfully manages their chemotherapy treatment. Her patients appreciate the concern that she shows even after they complete their therapy. In addition to her clinical expertise, she mentors student nurses, pharmacy students and gifted high school students.

November 2011 Reading Hospital Regional Cancer Center Protocol Office Nursing Staff The (Clinical Trials) Protocol Office at Reading Hospital Regional Cancer Center was organized in 1978. With Patricia Weiser, RN, CCRP as Nurse Manager, this staff of Aracelis Alvarez, RN, BSN, Marilyn Brennan, RN, OCN, CCRP, Elizabeth Gatsch, RN, OCN, CCRP and Christine Wolfe, RN, CCRP, has more than 75 years of combined cancer research treatment experience. Congratulations to these outstanding nurses who provide a wealth of information by researching oncology clinical treatment trials available, educating their patients, and coordinating their care and schedules. They also carefully submit the accumulated data to the study sponsors.

October 2011 Nora Walsh, RN Nora Walsh has provided outstanding care as an oncology nurse for more than 25 years. She is currently the lead triage nurse for Monterey Bay Oncology in Monterey, California, where she responds to as many as 70 incoming calls each day – and sensitively treats each patient individually. Nora is also a specialist in pain management and palliative care. She is known as a thoughtful mentor, a professional with a warm sense of humor and a “quintessential” oncology nurse.

September 2011 Janine Feliciano, RN, BSN, OCN Janine Feliciano has worked as an oncology nurse for 17 years. Since 2000, she has served as a clinical specialist in the outpatient infusion center at Kaiser Permanente's Cumberland Medical Center in Atlanta. In addition to providing excellent care, she is committed to providing extensive patient education regarding medications and disease. Janine's professionalism, words of encouragement and positive attitude draws praise from her patients. Her constant smile brings reassurance and hope to all those in contact with her.

August 2011 Bonnie Bish Bonnie Bish is a devoted oncology manager at the Grove City Medical Center Cancer Care clinic, which is located 60 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bonnie works closely with patients who come to the center to receive their chemotherapy or blood transfusions. With more than 20 years of experience in oncology at Grove City Medical Center, patients have come to rely on her support and knowledge. They report that she consistently goes above and beyond their expectations.

July 2011 Ada Jo Luttrell, RN, BSN, OCN Ada Jo Luttrell has worked with oncology patients for more than 20 years and provides outstanding bedside care at Johnson City Medical Center. Located in northeastern Tennessee, Ada Jo’s influence has impacted oncology patients throughout West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee. She also teaches Oncology Nursing Society classes and is credited with continually improving patient care. Her fellow staff members and students routinely rely on her extensive knowledge of clinical oncology resources for patients, the public, caregivers and families.

June 2011 Delma Armstrong, RN, BSN, OCN Delma Armstrong is an Oncology Certified Nurse and Nurse Navigator in the Hematology-Oncology Outpatient Clinic at the North Carolina Cancer Hospital in Chapel Hill. She has served as a resource for the development of a national Colon Cancer Patient Navigator Program and has written and published patient educational materials. Delma’s dedication to her patients is constant, and they appreciate her availability via email and pager as she addresses their concerns and questions in a timely and professional manner.

May 2011 Mary Prishtina, RN, OCN, CPBN-IC Mary Prishtina is an experienced oncology nurse and a certified Breast Cancer Patient Navigator at the ValleyCare Health System in Pleasanton, California. She oversees the ValleyCare Health Library and Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center. Utilizing the outstanding resources available and her specialized nursing skills, Mary guides patients through screening, diagnosis, treatment and recovery. She also organizes classes and support groups for patients and families. Mary is widely recognized for being a dedicated advocate and support for patients.

April 2011 Jackie Hay, RN Jackie Hay is a dedicated nurse and is noted for her outstanding skill in supporting those who are battling cancer. She has been referred to as a “Trojan Horse” when it comes to patient advocacy, which she does tirelessly. She is also praised for her commitment to education and for helping patients and their families, as they look for comfort and answers. Jackie also provides helpful resources as her patients look for ways to participate in taking action against their disease.

March 2011 Catherine Marinak, ARNP, MSN, AOCN Catherine (Cathy), Marinak is an Oncology Care Specialist at Jupiter Medical Center’s Foshay Cancer Center in Jupiter, Florida. She is much loved by her patients and known for being an outstanding educational resource, a wonderful listener and a caring and helpful guide through the maze of treatment. Cathy educates her patients for what to expect during surgery and treatment, and provides emotional support as well. She also coordinates genetic screening and testing programs, and risk assessment screening.

February 2011 Leslie B. MacMurtry, RN, OCN Leslie MacMurtry is a skilled oncology nurse with the Foundation Hematology/Oncology practice at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, NH, and is also the mother of a daughter who was diagnosed three years ago with Hodgkin Lymphoma. Her daughter said that through 12 rounds of chemo, 20 days of radiation and two stem cell transplants, her mom, "cared for me with compassion and experience that an exceptional nurse has and with the love and courage that an exceptional mother has.”

January 2011 Georgeanne Fielden, RN, BSN, OCN Georgeanne “Georgie” Fielden is a certified oncology nurse who has been with the Virginia Cancer Institute for 27 years. She has a vast knowledge of nursing and oncology. She is known for being resourceful, reliable, patient and always goes the extra mile for patients and co-workers. Her patients are comforted by Georgie's knowledge, kindness and compassion. She routinely seeks out new learning opportunities to enhance her knowledge and shares this with others. She is a mentor and example to all.

December 2010 Nancy Larson, RN, BSN, OCN Nancy Larson is a highly skilled gynecologic oncology nurse coordinator in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Washington University in St. Louis. She is highly respected by the oncology surgeons and her patients for her expertise, her kind demeanor and her ability to treat each patient as her number-one priority. Her patients say that she goes out of her way to help them cope with the effects of chemotherapy and always makes herself available to them to answer questions before, during and after treatment.

November 2010 Marlene Balik, RN, BSN, CWCN Marlene Balik routinely goes beyond the call of duty as a wound care nurse and the team leader of the award-winning Skin Management and Assessment Resource Team (SMART) at Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago. A patient’s daughter related that Marlene was instrumental in her mother’s healing after her rectal cancer surgery. Marlene educated the family on the care of the mother’s colostomy and continued to advocate for her during her entire stay in the hospital.

October 2010 Carol Blue, RN Carol Blue is a true leader and educator in the field of oncology– most recently for the Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Group at the California Cancer & Research Institute in Pleasant Hill, California. She has been consistently dedicated and loyal, and always puts the patient first. As a mentor and educator for over 20 years, Carol trained nurses and medical interns, wrote patient care plans and advocated for a safe and caring environment for patients. Newly retired, congratulations for outstanding life-long service.

September 2010 Amber Williams As a medical oncology professional at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center (ECCC) in Huntington, West Virginia, Amber Williams is a bright spot in the day of each of her patients. Her smile is infectious and she has a natural way of keeping her patients in good spirits while they undergo treatment. In addition to outstanding patient care, Amber goes the extra mile in her commitment to her cancer patients, as she also participates in the ECCC’s Relay for Life fundraiser activities.

August 2010 Janell Burk, RN Janell Burk was recently recognized by one of her patients as “one of the most involved nurses I have ever seen.” Janell is the Breast Care Navigator at St. John’s Health System in Anderson, Indiana and is a guiding force of the St. John’s Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Survivor group. Her dedication to her patients is displayed not only in her knowledge and advocacy, but also as an advisor to the Hands and Heart group, she tirelessly attends the meetings to answers questions and calm members’ fears.

July 2010 Betsy Rice, RNC, CBCN As a Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator at St. Vincent’s SWIM Center for Cancer in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Betsy Rice is a teacher, a supporter and an advocate for breast cancer patients and their families. She is known for her commitment to walking with her patients from diagnosis through treatment, recovery and on to survivorship. Her patients appreciate her daily visits, her excellent communication skills and her ability to bring a smile to their faces each day during the difficult times in their journeys.

June 2010 Sean Hunt, RN, BSN, OCN Sean Hunt is a dedicated, caring oncology cancer nurse and a certified Nurse Navigator at Marian Cancer Center in Santa Maria, California. A cancer survivor himself, Sean was diagnosed with Acute Monocytic Leukemia (AML) in 1994 at the age of 24. His personal experience led him to nursing and he heads up the Cancer Survivorship Program at the Marian Cancer Center – providing survivors with valuable tools and insights they need to successfully manage their lives after a cancer diagnosis.

May 2010 Michelle Ellis, RN, OCN, CBCN Michelle Ellis is committed to sensitive personalized care for her patients as a Patient Navigator for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center in San Luis Obispo, California, and is referred to by many patients as their “Guiding Angel.” Her outstanding knowledge, tireless dedication and genuine warmth towards her patients are obvious to all that come in contact with her. Patients, families, co-workers and physician providers have all come to respect and depend on her for her input and expertise.