Cure 2009 Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing

In 2006, Cure allowed readers the opportunity to honor an oncology nurse who provided them with exemplary care by initiating the Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing. Based on the tremendous success of this initiative, the award has been given every year since. Of all the 2009 submissions, 3 finalists were chosen and the finalist essays were read by the nominators. This was exceptionally emotional, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room by the end of these readings. As Kathy LaTour, Editor-at-Large of Cure, noted in her welcome address, one of the common themes in each of the submitted essays was that patients felt their nurses were angels—guiding, comforting, and providing hope when all seemed hopeless. Indeed this was echoed in each of the essays that were read.

The finalists were Nadine Robinson, RN, BSN, OCN, New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, New York; Marianne Sacks, RN, CCM, Aetna Patient Management, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania; and Christine Wilson, RN, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, who won the award. Another highlight was that Peggy Fleming, Olympic gold medalist and breast cancer survivor, served as the honorary mistress of ceremonies.

VIDEO DOWNLOAD: PEGGY_FLEMING_SPEECH.flv

2009 Extraordinary Healer Award winner Christine Wilson, RN, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, (left) stands with Renée La Forest, of Noblesville, Indiana, who nominated Christine for the award. Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. sponsored the award.