Two nursing professionals at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute with College of Nursing affiliation received awards during the ONS Annual Congress, sponsored by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS).
Research scientist Joanne Lester, PhD, is a co-recipient of the 2012 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Excellence in Survivor Advocacy Award. She will receive the award during the opening ceremonies of the annual ONS Congress at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Lester, a certified nurse practitioner and clinical assistant professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing, is investigating a non-hormonal intervention to relieve vaginal dryness in breast cancer survivors. She is also conducting a study supported by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) to investigate distress experienced by leukemia and breast cancer survivors. Lester, also an advanced oncology certified nurse, is the lead editor for a recent ONS book entitled Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship: Transdisciplinary Approaches to Personalized Care.
Gail Davidson, a disease management coordinator in surgical oncology who received her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University College of Nursing, will receive the 2012 ONS Excellence in Surgical Oncology Award. The ONS annual meeting attracts approximately 3,500 oncology nurses who will learn about cancer care, including survivorship, chemotherapy, symptom management, radiation, patient education and disease management. Davidson is an oncology certified nurse and practices as a registered nurse. She manages regional liver therapy, neuroendocrine cancers and gastrointestinal cancers with a focus on improving the quality of life for gastrointestinal cancer patients.
To become a certified oncology nurse, individuals must complete a minimum of one-year experience as a registered nurse, a minimum of 1,000 hours of oncology nursing practice, meet competency requirements and complete at least 10 hours of continuing education in the field of oncology nursing. ONS is the largest specialty nursing organization with more than 35,000 registered nurses and healthcare providers. Members focus on patient care, education, research and administration with an emphasis on excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.
