From Left: Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez, and Jessica Macintyre, D.N.P., MBA, APRN, AOCNP, FAANP
It is a joint nomination by Camille Moses, a pancreatic most cancers survivor, and Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez, thoracic oncologist and investigator on the Sylvester Complete Most cancers Heart of the College of Miami in Florida.
Moses: In March 2012, I used to be identified with stage 4 pancreatic most cancers. I used to be overwhelmed with concern. My mom died of pancreatic most cancers once I was 53 years previous; due to this fact, I assumed my days had been numbered. I noticed an oncologist who advised me, “It’s too late to get therapy; it’s essential put together to die.” A second opinion introduced me to Sylvester Complete Most cancers Heart, the place I met an unimaginable nurse named Jessica MacIntyre, D.N.P., MBA, APRN, AOCNP. It was the scariest day of my life once I pulled as much as that most cancers middle. My first thought was, “That is the constructing I’ll die in.” I wanted a wheelchair due to the ache I used to be experiencing. All the pieces gave the impression to be occurring round me like I used to be in a nightmare.
As Jessica started to look at me, I instantly felt her vitality. She was extraordinarily calm, and from all of the questions she requested me, I knew I used to be in the fitting place. Jessica was caring and understood my concern and was in a position to alter my treatment to assist relieve my ache. She requested why I used to be nonetheless carrying the bandage from having a port inserted. I advised her that I assumed it was an open wound and was scared to have a look at it. She took off the bandage, and I appeared all the way down to see only a tiny scar. She took the concern away. That was only the start!
Jessica was my oncology nurse for 17 months whereas I battled stage 4 pancreatic most cancers. Jessica’s data and dedication made me imagine that, though it is likely to be tough at occasions, I may survive. Jessica made most cancers appear regular to me once I was so unsure of my future. Jessica was proper! With every three-month clinic go to, my scans confirmed that the most cancers was disappearing. Jessica would cheer me on and inform me I used to be a celebrity affected person. Jessica’s perception in me grew stronger; she took my fears away.
From Left: Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez; Camille Moses And Jessica Macintyre, D.N.P., MBA, APRN, AOCNP, FAANP
After I started experiencing neuropathy from chemotherapy remedies, she defined how lengthy it might final and helped me discover methods to take care of the discomfort. At every stage of my therapy, it was Jessica I turned to for recommendation and steering.
I additionally shared together with her all my adventures, like going to the Meals and Wine Competition or touring. Jessica all the time inspired me to maintain residing life.
After 17 months of remedies, my most cancers was gone. I actually imagine that with out the help, love, data and steering Jessica confirmed me, I might not be right here at this time. Jessica took the concern out of most cancers. She has this unimaginable means to make each affected person really feel particular and that they matter. Anybody who has been blessed together with her care can attest that she is an angel on earth. My want is for all sufferers to have a loving bond with their oncology nurse. It does influence your end result.
As soon as I recovered from remedies, Jessica inspired me to share my experiences. She invited me to talk at Sylvester Complete Most cancers Heart to an viewers of docs and sufferers. Jessica was so happy with me and inspired me to be a part of the Affected person and Household Advisory Council. After a devasting most cancers prognosis that I obtained, it was all the time and nonetheless is Jessica I am going to for help and steering. Most cancers adjustments an individual’s priorities, and understanding Jessica is there for me ceaselessly offers me peace of thoughts. Jessica has inspired me to be a affected person advocate. Jessica understands the wants of sufferers far after they’ve accomplished therapy. Jessica has applied so many applications for most cancers sufferers and survivors. She will do this as a result of she understands the wants of sufferers. Jessica deserves to be acknowledged for her data and dedication. I can let you know that I’m alive and thriving because of Jessica’s fixed help.
Rodriguez: Along with the testimonial of sufferers like Camille who’ve been impacted by the therapeutic care of Jessica MacIntyre, as an oncologist and colleague on the Sylvester Complete Most cancers Heart, I nominate her for this award for her management and contributions over the previous 20 years to enhance the lives of sufferers with most cancers regionally and nationally.
Jessica joined the most cancers middle after graduating from nursing college in 2000 and rapidly turned the primary nurse navigator for Sylvester’s pancreatic/gastrointestinal group, guiding sufferers by means of their advanced care. After a number of roles in nursing care, she needed to do extra and earned a grasp’s diploma in nursing and a physician of nursing observe diploma.
For the previous eight years, she has held a number of management roles at our establishment, working in a twin function as a practising medical and administrator. As govt director of medical operations, she oversees a number of medical applications, together with oncology social work, most cancers help companies, most cancers survivorship, most cancers prevention and the section I analysis clinic. She has been instrumental in creating applications such because the Affected person and Household Advisory Council, which strengthens collaboration between sufferers and the well being care workforce, and the Sylvester Most cancers Survivorship Symposium, which brings consultants in most cancers survivorship and sufferers collectively to alternate concepts, discover new alternatives and form the way forward for survivorship care and analysis.
Jessica is an efficient function mannequin and advocate for different nurses within the discipline and lots of Latinas in nursing. She is director of the Oncology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship program, the one accredited fellowship program with distinction in Florida, which is equipping the subsequent technology of superior nurse practitioners and oncology nurses with the abilities to offer compassionate, patient-centered care.
In April 2024, she turned the president of the Oncology Nursing Society, which represents 100,000 nurses. Its 35,000 members embody nurses, nursing college students, nurse practitioners, scientists and educators. In her nationwide function, Jessica has continued to carry her ardour and experience to help oncology nurses and nurse practitioners, significantly these within the early levels of their careers, to assist them ship distinctive care on this difficult well being care panorama.
We nominate Jessica MacIntyre for the 2025 Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing for her private, native and nationwide influence on enhancing the lives of sufferers with most cancers.
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