October 2019 Honoree
heather mitchel, RN, BSN, OCRN
I always am pleased when Heather is assigned as an infusion nurse for one of our patients as I know she will take extraordinary care of the patient and will always discuss any concerns she has regarding a patient's status with our clinical team.
When considering Heather's patient interactions, a certain patient immediately comes to my mind. This woman believed she was cured of her stage 1 cancer with a simple surgery. Unfortunately, she recurred with extensive disease. She was fearful and anxious. Heather was assigned to be her chemotherapy infusion nurse on the first day of treatment. They formed a bond and although her disease progressed through chemo, Heather recognized and celebrated the important victories this patient experienced during her treatments - little things most others would overlook - like good blood counts, minimal to no nausea with chemotherapy and extra family time.
Heather took the initiative to learn more about her patient's rare cancer and when this complicated case was once again presented to tumor board, she came to tumor board hours before her normal shift was to begin. When this patient had to go downtown for specialized surgery, Heather regularly asked me for updates.
Once this patient knew she was returning to the cancer center for further treatments she immediately requested Heather for her nurse. The patient expressed to me that she can face additional chemotherapy as long as Heather is her nurse. That endorsement is better than any words I can write.
When considering Heather's patient interactions, a certain patient immediately comes to my mind. This woman believed she was cured of her stage 1 cancer with a simple surgery. Unfortunately, she recurred with extensive disease. She was fearful and anxious. Heather was assigned to be her chemotherapy infusion nurse on the first day of treatment. They formed a bond and although her disease progressed through chemo, Heather recognized and celebrated the important victories this patient experienced during her treatments - little things most others would overlook - like good blood counts, minimal to no nausea with chemotherapy and extra family time.
Heather took the initiative to learn more about her patient's rare cancer and when this complicated case was once again presented to tumor board, she came to tumor board hours before her normal shift was to begin. When this patient had to go downtown for specialized surgery, Heather regularly asked me for updates.
Once this patient knew she was returning to the cancer center for further treatments she immediately requested Heather for her nurse. The patient expressed to me that she can face additional chemotherapy as long as Heather is her nurse. That endorsement is better than any words I can write.
Thank you, Heather, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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