Alison’s commitment to Relationship-Based Care is evident in her work and attitude each day. For example, I recall her recently caring for a patient who knew he was receiving his last line of treatment options. He told Alison that one of the things on his bucket list is to become a balloon handler at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. By the end of the shift, Alison had provided him with the contact information of a parade representative that would be able to make his dream come true. The patient’s immense gratitude for this gesture led him to tears. This is just one example of the ways in which Alison impacts the lives of her patients on a deeper level. There are countless times when patients express how excited and relieved they are knowing that Alison would be their nurse during a given day.

When it comes to patient care, Alison consistently goes above and beyond. Her compassion and sympathetic nature can be felt not only by the patients but also by other nurses, PCTs, providers, and ancillary staff. Alison’s commitment to her coworkers shines through her smile and positive approach with each shift she works. She is the first to help a colleague with a patient assignment, schedule switch, or assist with a clinical inquiry. Additionally, she contributes to the culture on the unit in a positive way by always having a can-do attitude, no matter what the day brings. As a CNIII on M7 said, “from the time I began working with Alison as a new graduate nurse three years ago, it was quickly evident that she was a figure I could look up to as a role model and someone I could approach with any issues or questions. Her calm and collected nature bring a sense of peace to our unit during times of chaos. In the event of an emergency or stressful situation, I immediately feel a sense of relief knowing Alison is by my side. She is truly the glue that brings our unit together during times of stress or hardship”. On the BMT service, we work closely with LIPs to ensure safe and efficient care of our patients. In speaking about Alison, one of our PAs says he “came to MSK with limited oncology experience in early 2020. As I was learning the nuances of care for stem cell transplant patients, Alison’s insight into the patients and the daily workflow of the service was invaluable to me. 

In the Charge Nurse role, Alison is a team player and can always be seen helping out colleagues with tasks on the floor. When I am caring for patients in the UCC or ICU, I can count on her as a Charge Nurse to help me advocate for our patients so they can return to M7 and be managed by staff familiar with the nuances of their care. In the bedside nursing role, she is insightful, has superb clinical judgement, and is a relentless advocate for her patients. Alison and her colleagues had to abruptly pivot from caring for transplant patients during the height of the pandemic to exclusively caring for patients with COVID-19. Despite all the fear and uncertainty of the pandemic, she met this challenge with flexibility and poise. She provided care, empathy and reassurance to isolated patients in the throes of a new and frightening disease. When caring for our patients undergoing arduous stem cell transplants and cellular therapies, she provides the same exemplary care”. These examples and many more are indicative of how Alison works seamlessly with the multidisciplinary team to provide exemplary care to this very vulnerable patient population.

Alison was hired in 2017 as a new graduate nurse in anticipation of the opening of M7 in 2018, a second Bone Marrow Transplant Unit here at MSK. In the five years since the opening of M7, Alison has worked her way up the clinical ladder to the level of CNIV and has become one of the unit’s leaders and a prime example of what it means to be a nurse at MSK. As one of the new graduate nurses hired to work on a newly opened unit, Alison was able to be a vital part of the creation of the culture and teamwork on the unit and demonstrated her vast skill set in various capacities. Within a few months of the unit opening, she quickly assimilated into the roles of Charge Nurse and preceptor, exceeding expectations.

As a team, we are continually impressed by her work ethic, adaptability, flexibility, compassion, and her natural abilities to mentor, lead, and act as a role model on M7. Throughout her time on M7, Alison has contributed to the unit, team, and institution in multiple ways. On the unit, she is a strong charge nurse and preceptor. She helps guide and educate new nurses all while giving them the confidence they need to become competent nurses who can pave their own way. As a CNIV in the Operations role, she is the unit scheduler, working closely with our Nurse Leader to ensure seamless functionality of our unit’s day-to-day operations all while remaining impartial. Alison displays an impressive understanding of BMT knowledge. Last year, she assumed the role of M7 Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Didactic and Practicum facilitator. She is responsible for instructing lectures for all newly hired nurses and conducting several practicum days for each new nurse to ensure their readiness and safety to administer chemotherapy and biotherapy to our patients. It is evident during these days how safe and secure nurses feel when Alison is their instructor. The success of Alison’s seamless transition into this role has been evident in the success and comfortability of the new nurses of M7. Off the unit, Alison is an active member of both the eMAR/KBMA Committee and the Inpatient Informatics Council. She additionally represented M7 on the Inpatient Quality and Safety Committee for nearly three years. Through her work with these groups, she ensures that the perspective of the bedside nurse is always considered when new initiatives are being introduced. Most recently, she has been working closely with a focus group of individuals from services across the institution including BMT LIPs, other nurses, and infection control to research the evidence regarding the use of gloves in rooms for patients on protective isolation. This role has further exemplified her ability to work well in a group environment, her eagerness to acquire new knowledge, and her motivation to drive change at the level beyond the bedside.

M7 often feels quieter and calmer on the days that Alison is in charge. In this role, I have witnessed firsthand her leadership abilities daily. Whether it’s an experienced nurse or a new graduate CNI, every person feels comfortable asking Alison for help and knowing she is consistently approachable and composed, with exceptional knowledge of nursing operations and BMT. Alison not only advocates for her patients but also for her coworkers, ensuring their voices are heard and that they feel supported in their roles as direct care nurses. When thinking of Alison as a fierce advocate, one specific situation comes to mind. I was caring for a 28-year-old male who was newly diagnosed with AML and was admitted to M7 for an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Within moments of being admitted into his room on M7, he became severely agitated with escort staff, accusing him of mishandling his belongings. He quickly cornered me and the escort staff, instilling fear in a place where we as MSK staff work so hard to maintain a calm healing environment. Before I could even reach the emergency bell to call for help, Alison heard the screaming from the nursing station and immediately sprang into action. She quickly and calmly called a Behavioral RRT and collaborated with the multidisciplinary team in addition to security during this high stress event, all while ensuring the safety of myself and the patient escort staff. After the event transpired and she ensured the safety of the patient and her colleagues was met, she even went a step further and contacted the patient’s primary attending to discuss interventions that could be done to ensure this would not happen again during the length of his stay. This situation exemplifies how Alison displays care for her colleagues in her ability to seek out those that need help. Alison is the type of person who completes tasks without being asked, whether it benefits her own patient or to help another colleague. When something needs to get done, Alison is the nurse to do, but chances are she has already done it. Most notably to me, however, has been Alison’s ability to proactively pivot at a moment’s notice. When we’ve needed a charge nurse, a preceptor, a schedule maker, or an extra hand, Alison has been there. She not only shape-shifts into any role without complaining or expecting extra credit, but she also executes each role flawlessly.

Despite working fulltime, Alison has made the exciting decision to pursue an advanced degree and is currently enrolled in a Master of Science in Nursing Management and Executive Leadership program at Sacred Heart University. She remains an active member of the Oncology Nursing Society and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Alison has the innate ability to seamlessly pivot roles, wearing many hats, all while doing so with a smile and remembering the smallest details.

Finally, Alison cares for herself in various ways, including through exercise, reading, travel, and spending time with her closest family and friends, which is of utmost importance to her. Alison has a strong commitment to both personal and professional development, and I cannot stress enough how truly special she is as a colleague, as a friend, and as a person. The organization and M7 are privileged to have such an exceptional nurse and reliable person working here, and I am extremely proud to call Alison a colleague and a friend and feel fortunate to work alongside her every day. I look forward to watching her grow further as a nurse and as a leader.