Bethany Mechachonis, RN

I would like to recognize RN Bethany Mechachonis for the profound impact that she has on the Elliot Breast Health patient population. Bethany goes above and beyond the expectations of her nursing role in caring for her patients.

In addition to being the resource nurse, Bethany is best known as Dr. Lana Shikhman’s partner in the office. When she is not at her daily, early morning Hot Yoga class or taking her two teenage daughters prom dress shopping, she is found at Elliot Breast Health, before and after office hours, making sure that all her patients are “tucked in,” as she would say herself.

When you or a family member is diagnosed with breast cancer, it is understandably difficult to ask for help, keep track of provider names, fill out FMLA paperwork, put your thoughts into words, laugh at a silly joke, or even just smile. However, when you come to Elliot Breast Health for an appointment-- whether it be for your wife’s breast cancer diagnosis discussion, in support of your mom’s post-operative check-up, for your sister’s six-month survivorship visit, or your own annual breast exam as a result of your family’s history-- you are guaranteed to open up your mind, heart, and soul to Bethany.

As someone who has been mentored by her, it is extremely clear that all her patients are comfortable with being vulnerable around her, which is very rare in a medical office and with medical staff. With her bright smile and infectious laugh also comes her brain, which is even more admirable. Bethany’s brilliance is ideal for the caretaking of breast health patients, as her organization and problem-solving provide for a smooth and safe treatment process.

Bethany is an exceptional example of compassion, especially in the oncology world. She ensures that she gets to know the entirety of her patients so that they do not just have a “familiar face” at their appointments, but a lifelong friend. In fact, Bethany refers to many of her patients as her “bosom buddies,” making them laugh out loud, even on what might feel like one of the worst days of their life.

She has the ability to navigate any complex situation, whether physical, social, cultural, or emotional, while keeping in mind patient comfort and safety. For instance, Elliot Breast Health had the pleasure of providing care to a non-verbal, adult patient with neurocognitive and physical disability who was, unfortunately, diagnosed with breast cancer. The patient attended each appointment with her parents, who were also her legal guardians, and Bethany was the first to wrap her arms around them.

She held the patient’s hand during the entirety of her surgical treatment, from initial consultation to post-operative care. While it was difficult for this patient to verbalize her thoughts, Bethany did an exceptional job of supporting the patient’s autonomy and advocating for her specific needs. She took the time to effectively communicate with the patient herself and ensured that the entire oncology team was understanding of the patient’s needs with every step of the treatment process.

When Bethany is not taking excellent care of her patients, she is taking care of her nursing staff. She spends much of her time mentoring others and transforming the next generation of nurses, including myself. I recently joined Elliot Breast Health as a nurse with only medical-surgical inpatient experience. Bethany has gone above and beyond to ensure a smooth transition for me, both inside and outside of the office.

She is observant and easily understands how to best meet my learning needs as an experienced inpatient nurse in the outpatient field. She is also very supportive of my evolving physical and mental health outside of work, which is a crucial element in the medical professional world.

Bethany is an exceptional role model in terms of more than just nursing, but also in terms of partnership, friendship, and motherhood. Despite her overtime hours in the office taking care of all things “behind the scenes” for many cancer journeys, she is also able to show up for herself and her daughters. She is extremely active in her yoga studio and kitchen, making sure to set aside enough time for herself when it comes to her health. “Mom” is her other full-time job as she cares for her two daughters while they navigate the teenage world.

Somehow, Bethany finds the perfect balance when juggling her profession as a nurse, her own self-care, and motherhood. Not only does Bethany make a significant impact on the lives of Elliot Breast Health’s patients, but she also makes a significant impact on the lives of her co-workers, including myself. She has inspired me to spiritually and professionally grow in numerous ways as a female medical professional.

Bethany is the epitome of excellence in the nursing world, and a great role model for all nurses despite their level of experience or area of expertise. She is a great example of a life-changing nurse, and anyone would be more than lucky to work alongside her and, more importantly, be cared for by her.

I strongly believe that Bethany is deserving of this DAISY Award, as she deserves to be commended for the life-changing work that she does in caring for those impacted by the horrible disease of breast cancer, as well as the many other extraordinary efforts that she makes in Elliot Breast Health.