Deanna Ciriaco
January 2021
Deanna
Ciriaco
,
RN
Radiation Oncology
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Deanna's treatment was like a warm hug that encompassed my daughter.
The Art of Nursing incorporates holistic care, conversations, accountability, clinical excellence, and the ability to make a connection. I have known many nurses throughout my career who have embodied many of these qualities but few who I can truly say have impressed me with their care and concern for a patient as did Deanna during the care of my daughter.
My daughter was diagnosed with an invasive gynecological cancer necessitating both chemotherapy and radiation therapy along with subsequent surgery and a second course of chemotherapy. These treatments were uncomfortable, painful, and rife with side effects, that while not life-threatening, impeded her quality of life both during her treatments and even now.
While we assume that all nurses will exhibit kindness and caring in the face of a devastating disease, Deanna's treatment was like a warm hug that encompassed my daughter and provided support that became a friendship that endures to this day. I have glimpsed some of the after-hospital care patients require when helping people post-discharge from the emergency department, but I have never seen the type of follow-up and comprehensive care that was provided by this wonderful, young woman. The care coordination was outstanding, the questions answered, and support provided overarching and if anyone is a natural navigator for cancer care and survivorship, it is Deanna.
Deanna provided direction and helped synchronize care seamlessly moving my daughter between the Cancer Center practice, Infusion Center, lab, and hospital interventions, and Radiation Oncology. Her assistance in so many matters made the difference between knowing how to handle the many questions that come up during varied cancer treatments and who to contact to get what you need. Quite frankly, her patient care, education, and support were and continue to be outstanding and something to be valued and celebrated within our hospital and system.
I will never be able to thank Deanna in a way that expresses my gratitude that she became a part of my daughter's life. I thank God every day that she is in this role and that my daughter and so many others benefit from her care and knowledge set.
My daughter was diagnosed with an invasive gynecological cancer necessitating both chemotherapy and radiation therapy along with subsequent surgery and a second course of chemotherapy. These treatments were uncomfortable, painful, and rife with side effects, that while not life-threatening, impeded her quality of life both during her treatments and even now.
While we assume that all nurses will exhibit kindness and caring in the face of a devastating disease, Deanna's treatment was like a warm hug that encompassed my daughter and provided support that became a friendship that endures to this day. I have glimpsed some of the after-hospital care patients require when helping people post-discharge from the emergency department, but I have never seen the type of follow-up and comprehensive care that was provided by this wonderful, young woman. The care coordination was outstanding, the questions answered, and support provided overarching and if anyone is a natural navigator for cancer care and survivorship, it is Deanna.
Deanna provided direction and helped synchronize care seamlessly moving my daughter between the Cancer Center practice, Infusion Center, lab, and hospital interventions, and Radiation Oncology. Her assistance in so many matters made the difference between knowing how to handle the many questions that come up during varied cancer treatments and who to contact to get what you need. Quite frankly, her patient care, education, and support were and continue to be outstanding and something to be valued and celebrated within our hospital and system.
I will never be able to thank Deanna in a way that expresses my gratitude that she became a part of my daughter's life. I thank God every day that she is in this role and that my daughter and so many others benefit from her care and knowledge set.