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Fox Chase Nurse Honored With National Award
PHILADELPHIA (May 19, 2010) – As cancer patients prepare for their first chemotherapy treatment, Fox Chase nurse Kathy Smith, RN, BS, OCN, is right there to help them. Her work has earned her national recognition, having been selected as the recipient of the Excellence in Patient/Public Education Award by the Oncology Nursing Society. Smith received the award at the 35th Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society this month in San Diego.
As clinical coordinator of outpatient infusion services, Smith manages the daily operations of the infusion room and facilitates communication among the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide care there. "When patients come in to see us," Smith says, "they often feel anxious about starting chemotherapy."
To help patients and their loved ones prepare for treatment, Smith, along with Fox Chase's Social Work Services department, developed a free, one-hour class, called "Preparing for Chemotherapy." In it, they address the physical effects of chemotherapy as well as the emotional impact of treatment. The class is offered regularly at Fox Chase and is also available in video form on the Fox Chase Web site.
"Kathy's dedication to her patients and commitment to providing outstanding nursing care make her a perfect choice for this award," says Joanne Hambleton, RN, MSN, NE-BC, vice president of Nursing and Patient Services at Fox Chase. "We are so proud of Kathy for this wonderful accomplishment."
The Oncology Nursing Society's Excellence in Patient/Public Education Award recognizes excellence in educating patients and the general public about cancer. Recipients must be registered nurses with a minimum of two years of oncology experience.
A Fox Chase nurse for 23 years, Smith is an active member of the Center's Patient Education Committee. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Nursing at LaSalle University.
Fox Chase Cancer Center, part of Temple University Health System, is one of the leading cancer research and treatment centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase also was among the first institutions to receive the National Cancer Institute’s prestigious comprehensive cancer center designation in 1974. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has achieved Magnet status for excellence three consecutive times. Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research and oversees programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. For more information, call 1-888-FOX-CHASE (1-888-369-2427).
