Anne Perry
September 2021
Anne
Perry
,
RN, BSN, OCN
SSM Health Cancer Care
SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis
Bridgeton
,
MO
United States
Anne has the ability to consistently see beyond herself, and easily recognizes when another RN or co-worker is in need.
In the 30 years that Anne has served as an RN with SSM Health she has always worked hard at advancing her own skills, so that she could assist others to advance as well. She started this journey while working at St. Joseph Health Center- St. Charles in 1991, providing direct patient care as both a staff and charge RN for the 30 bed Oncology Medical Unit. It was during this time that Anne became Chemotherapy Certified. She also served as the following: Co-Director of the Breast Cancer Support group, Nurse Council Representative, Staff Action Team Chairman, and Ethics Committee Member. Anne then advanced her career, by accepting the role of Clinical Support Nurse for the Inpatient Oncology/Medical unit, and Ambulatory Care Outpatient Treatment Room, a 28 bed unit, where Anne served as a coach and mentor. It was during this time that Anne attended a national conference where she completed ELNEC training (End of Life Nursing Education Consortium- a national education initiative to improve palliative care), as well as graduating as an Emerging Leader in 2011.
In 2012 Anne earned her BSN from UMSL. This was a big year for her, as she also advanced her career as the Palliative Care Coordinator, earning her CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse). Anne served in this role as a STRONG team of only 1, serving the entire St. Joseph- Health Center St. Charles Hospital for 3 years, educating staff and ancillary departments about the program- while serving and assisting seriously ill patients and their family members with various needs such as pain and symptom management, goal setting, decision making, and providing emotional support.
Five years ago, Anne made a career move, based on a referral from a past Director who knew just how much Anne had to offer, and joined the Cancer Care team, in Radiation Oncology. Anne's vast knowledge in the Oncology field, as well as Palliative Care has helped to enrich our clinic as a whole and advance our patient care.
Anne has the ability to consistently see beyond herself, and easily recognizes when another RN or co-worker is in need. She is a prolific problem solver, and when there is an issue that needs attention- Anne brings it to the forefront, often offering the solution in front of the problem. Anne served as a Nursing Practice Council Representative, and Staff Action Team Chairman where she had the platform to share nursing team members concerns, and actively participated in the solution. While in the Palliative Care role, Anne educated RN's on symptom management in the non-reporting patient and helped to increase Health Care Directives-including educating Hospitalists on this important initiative.
Anne is an active participant in daily Huddles, weekly Patient Chart Rounds, Tumor Conference, and is a member of the Accountability Team. Anne will make time for anyone, at any time. She will set her own duties aside, and step in or alongside to partner with her co-workers for the good of the patient, as well as the team.
Although Anne has progressed through several important roles in Oncology over a span of 30 years, she has always kept her patients and their families as the main focus. When Anne served as the sole Palliative Care Coordinator she utilized her role to improve the quality of life for patients, and continues to do so, in her role as RN in Radiation Oncology. Anne helps her patients and families come to terms with difficult life decisions. Anne puts all of her patients on active surveillance as they are undergoing daily radiation treatments. Her proactive approach ensures that our patients are as comfortable as possible while undergoing very difficult therapy. Through her experience, Anne has helped staff to foster their ability to tap into resources to support and assist our patients as well, with many needs that arise, such as ride services, supplements for PEG patients, pastoral support.
It is hard to sum up the amount of initiatives that Anne has pioneered, participated in, or encouraged in 30 years. Here are a few: while in the role of Palliative Care Coordinator Anne started and grew the Palliative Care Program by fostering relationships with physicians in the program, hospitalists, intensivists, attending physicians, and floor nurses through expansive communication and education, which resulted in an enhanced workflow, as well as significant positive impact on patient and family care. She has served on many teams, support and advocacy groups, and continues to share her vast knowledge of Oncology with everyone she serves. Anne has enhanced process improvement by fostering partnerships with her counterpart RN's within the Cancer Care Service Line, and helped to create and update patient education manuals, and nursing protocol binders. Anne also takes the initiative to make certain that all monthly tracers are completed, and all staff are aware of Joint Commission expectations, and safety guidelines.
Anne has enthusiastically served and participated on many teams. While working as a staff and charge RN she was the Co-Director of the Breast Cancer Support group, Nursing Practice Council Representative, Staff Action Team Chairman, Ethics Committee Member, Unit Council Chairperson, Emerging Leader Graduate. Currently, Anne is the facilitator for weekly Patient Chart Rounds (all staff of Rad Onc come together to discuss each patient under XRT, upcoming Consultations, CT Simulations), active participant in Tumor and Thoracic Conference, Daily Huddle, Accountability Team Member, Survivorship Committee. Anne has also participated in nearly every Karen Weidinger Foundation walk, Lung Cancer Connection Walk, and Cancer Care Survivor Dinner. Of course, pre-Covid. However, Anne even managed to champion a team at Cancer Care, for the 2020 Lung Connection Walk, as it was in a park where people could spread out- and funds were raised for a good cause.
It is my honor, to nominate Anne Perry, for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, for her profound dedication over the last 30 years to her patients, co-workers, and providers at SSM Health. Anne is an innovative leader in every sense of the word. Anne has been passionately engaged in her profession from the start and continues to be 30 years later sharing her vast knowledge of Oncology in a way that leaves a lasting impression. Anne's efforts in launching the Palliative Care Program, as the first Palliative Care Coordinator has made a permanent imprint on the System as a whole. Her many hours of fostering relationships with Providers in the program, Hospitalists, Intensivists, and floor nurses through education and vast communication, set a firm foundation for the program to continue to grow. Anne's many years of serving seriously ill patients and their family members during incredibly difficult times, has given her a deep compassion that she shares freely, and many are blessed to learn from. Anne sees the person as a whole- mind, body, spirit- regardless of if it is a patient undergoing treatment, a family member that she voluntarily spends time educating or consoling, or a co-worker.
Anne is a lifetime learner, who throughout her career has made an exerted effort to increase her knowledge, becoming Chemotherapy Certified, earning her BSN, OCN, CHPN, and completing ELNEC training, and is an Emerging Leaders graduate. Anne has participated and facilitated many committees, such as Breast Cancer Support Group, Ethics Committee member, Nursing Practice Council Representative, Staff Action Team Chairman, Unit Council Chairperson, Accountability Team Member, Survivorship Team Member, Facilitator of multidisciplinary Oncologist's Rounds, and participant in Tumor and Thoracic Conference. Anne gives freely of her time in the Community, participating in and helping to plan many fund raising events, such as the KWF Walk, Lung Connection Walk, and Cancer Survivors Dinner. Anne is consistently finding ways to improve patient education, safety, and comfort. Anne has made so many valuable connections throughout her career and shares these resources with her counterparts in the Service Line, so that our cancer patients are accommodated with support to help them through their journey. Whether it be a ride service, or education for our head and neck cancer patients with PEG's, providing them with free nutritional supplements, or breast cancer patients suffering side effects from surgery and radiation treatments who need PT, Anne facilitates it all. Her main goal and focus is the patient, at all times. However, Anne never fails to recognize her surroundings. Whether it be a co-worker who has a need, or a process that needs improving. A "Kudos" or a "difficult conversation" for the betterment of all, you can count on Anne to be the first to engage.
Anne has been a formal leader and is now an informal leader, but regardless of her professional title, she is just an all-around amazing nurse. Anne emanates positivity and truly embraces the wise words of Mother Odelia Berger, "Continue Courageously." This was extremely evident during the pandemic, when our immunocompromised patients were at risk, just getting out in the community so they could receive their radiation treatments. Anne's role was of the utmost importance helping to educate patients on utilizing virtual visits, as well as helping the provider navigate through this new platform, and setting up pre-procedural testing for each new patient prior to treatment. Anne worked very hard on educating all of our patients regarding Covid and staying safe. She eventually was able to schedule each and every one of our patients under active treatment for their Covid vaccinations once available. 2020 was such a challenging year, but Anne's nursing skills flourished, and she helped to lead the team through the ever-changing landscape. Anne had a positive attitude each day, and her smile could be seen behind her mask and goggles. Even though Anne has been a dedicated Nurse for 30 years, she has the enthusiasm of a new graduate. Her joy is contagious, her compassion is deep, her work ethic impeccable, and her need to help others is endless.
In 2012 Anne earned her BSN from UMSL. This was a big year for her, as she also advanced her career as the Palliative Care Coordinator, earning her CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse). Anne served in this role as a STRONG team of only 1, serving the entire St. Joseph- Health Center St. Charles Hospital for 3 years, educating staff and ancillary departments about the program- while serving and assisting seriously ill patients and their family members with various needs such as pain and symptom management, goal setting, decision making, and providing emotional support.
Five years ago, Anne made a career move, based on a referral from a past Director who knew just how much Anne had to offer, and joined the Cancer Care team, in Radiation Oncology. Anne's vast knowledge in the Oncology field, as well as Palliative Care has helped to enrich our clinic as a whole and advance our patient care.
Anne has the ability to consistently see beyond herself, and easily recognizes when another RN or co-worker is in need. She is a prolific problem solver, and when there is an issue that needs attention- Anne brings it to the forefront, often offering the solution in front of the problem. Anne served as a Nursing Practice Council Representative, and Staff Action Team Chairman where she had the platform to share nursing team members concerns, and actively participated in the solution. While in the Palliative Care role, Anne educated RN's on symptom management in the non-reporting patient and helped to increase Health Care Directives-including educating Hospitalists on this important initiative.
Anne is an active participant in daily Huddles, weekly Patient Chart Rounds, Tumor Conference, and is a member of the Accountability Team. Anne will make time for anyone, at any time. She will set her own duties aside, and step in or alongside to partner with her co-workers for the good of the patient, as well as the team.
Although Anne has progressed through several important roles in Oncology over a span of 30 years, she has always kept her patients and their families as the main focus. When Anne served as the sole Palliative Care Coordinator she utilized her role to improve the quality of life for patients, and continues to do so, in her role as RN in Radiation Oncology. Anne helps her patients and families come to terms with difficult life decisions. Anne puts all of her patients on active surveillance as they are undergoing daily radiation treatments. Her proactive approach ensures that our patients are as comfortable as possible while undergoing very difficult therapy. Through her experience, Anne has helped staff to foster their ability to tap into resources to support and assist our patients as well, with many needs that arise, such as ride services, supplements for PEG patients, pastoral support.
It is hard to sum up the amount of initiatives that Anne has pioneered, participated in, or encouraged in 30 years. Here are a few: while in the role of Palliative Care Coordinator Anne started and grew the Palliative Care Program by fostering relationships with physicians in the program, hospitalists, intensivists, attending physicians, and floor nurses through expansive communication and education, which resulted in an enhanced workflow, as well as significant positive impact on patient and family care. She has served on many teams, support and advocacy groups, and continues to share her vast knowledge of Oncology with everyone she serves. Anne has enhanced process improvement by fostering partnerships with her counterpart RN's within the Cancer Care Service Line, and helped to create and update patient education manuals, and nursing protocol binders. Anne also takes the initiative to make certain that all monthly tracers are completed, and all staff are aware of Joint Commission expectations, and safety guidelines.
Anne has enthusiastically served and participated on many teams. While working as a staff and charge RN she was the Co-Director of the Breast Cancer Support group, Nursing Practice Council Representative, Staff Action Team Chairman, Ethics Committee Member, Unit Council Chairperson, Emerging Leader Graduate. Currently, Anne is the facilitator for weekly Patient Chart Rounds (all staff of Rad Onc come together to discuss each patient under XRT, upcoming Consultations, CT Simulations), active participant in Tumor and Thoracic Conference, Daily Huddle, Accountability Team Member, Survivorship Committee. Anne has also participated in nearly every Karen Weidinger Foundation walk, Lung Cancer Connection Walk, and Cancer Care Survivor Dinner. Of course, pre-Covid. However, Anne even managed to champion a team at Cancer Care, for the 2020 Lung Connection Walk, as it was in a park where people could spread out- and funds were raised for a good cause.
It is my honor, to nominate Anne Perry, for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, for her profound dedication over the last 30 years to her patients, co-workers, and providers at SSM Health. Anne is an innovative leader in every sense of the word. Anne has been passionately engaged in her profession from the start and continues to be 30 years later sharing her vast knowledge of Oncology in a way that leaves a lasting impression. Anne's efforts in launching the Palliative Care Program, as the first Palliative Care Coordinator has made a permanent imprint on the System as a whole. Her many hours of fostering relationships with Providers in the program, Hospitalists, Intensivists, and floor nurses through education and vast communication, set a firm foundation for the program to continue to grow. Anne's many years of serving seriously ill patients and their family members during incredibly difficult times, has given her a deep compassion that she shares freely, and many are blessed to learn from. Anne sees the person as a whole- mind, body, spirit- regardless of if it is a patient undergoing treatment, a family member that she voluntarily spends time educating or consoling, or a co-worker.
Anne is a lifetime learner, who throughout her career has made an exerted effort to increase her knowledge, becoming Chemotherapy Certified, earning her BSN, OCN, CHPN, and completing ELNEC training, and is an Emerging Leaders graduate. Anne has participated and facilitated many committees, such as Breast Cancer Support Group, Ethics Committee member, Nursing Practice Council Representative, Staff Action Team Chairman, Unit Council Chairperson, Accountability Team Member, Survivorship Team Member, Facilitator of multidisciplinary Oncologist's Rounds, and participant in Tumor and Thoracic Conference. Anne gives freely of her time in the Community, participating in and helping to plan many fund raising events, such as the KWF Walk, Lung Connection Walk, and Cancer Survivors Dinner. Anne is consistently finding ways to improve patient education, safety, and comfort. Anne has made so many valuable connections throughout her career and shares these resources with her counterparts in the Service Line, so that our cancer patients are accommodated with support to help them through their journey. Whether it be a ride service, or education for our head and neck cancer patients with PEG's, providing them with free nutritional supplements, or breast cancer patients suffering side effects from surgery and radiation treatments who need PT, Anne facilitates it all. Her main goal and focus is the patient, at all times. However, Anne never fails to recognize her surroundings. Whether it be a co-worker who has a need, or a process that needs improving. A "Kudos" or a "difficult conversation" for the betterment of all, you can count on Anne to be the first to engage.
Anne has been a formal leader and is now an informal leader, but regardless of her professional title, she is just an all-around amazing nurse. Anne emanates positivity and truly embraces the wise words of Mother Odelia Berger, "Continue Courageously." This was extremely evident during the pandemic, when our immunocompromised patients were at risk, just getting out in the community so they could receive their radiation treatments. Anne's role was of the utmost importance helping to educate patients on utilizing virtual visits, as well as helping the provider navigate through this new platform, and setting up pre-procedural testing for each new patient prior to treatment. Anne worked very hard on educating all of our patients regarding Covid and staying safe. She eventually was able to schedule each and every one of our patients under active treatment for their Covid vaccinations once available. 2020 was such a challenging year, but Anne's nursing skills flourished, and she helped to lead the team through the ever-changing landscape. Anne had a positive attitude each day, and her smile could be seen behind her mask and goggles. Even though Anne has been a dedicated Nurse for 30 years, she has the enthusiasm of a new graduate. Her joy is contagious, her compassion is deep, her work ethic impeccable, and her need to help others is endless.