1 Volume 29, No. 1 The Harbor Herald March 2015 Upcoming Events March 30, 31, April 1 PBS Ken Burns Presents CANCER: THE EMPEROR OF ALL MALADIES, a film by Barak Goodman April 7th, GBCONS Board Meeting April 17th, The Johns Hopkins University Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center presents Johns Hopkins Cancer Survivorship: Improving Outcomes, Enhancing Care Symposium ONS 40th Annual Congress, April 23-26 Orlando, FL April 29th University of Maryland Medical Center Trends in Nursing Practice Conference 2015, Sex and Sexuality : Crucial Conversations for The Health Care Provider May 6th: The National Capital Chapter of the ONS Presents: ONS through the Eyes of the President May 7th May Dinner Meeting, at La Scala, Sponsored by Amgen August 11th (tentative) Canton Dockside, Crab Feast September 26 & 27th,OCN Review Course November 7th, GBCONS Bus Trip to New York City more to come November 20th, Basket Bingo Inside this issue: Saint Agnes Institute 2 Spotlight on a Member 4 Members in the News 1,9 Continuing Education in Oncology Nursing GBCONS Educational Symposium 6 GBCONS March Dinner Meeting 7 Advocacy Corner 8 5 The Harbor Herald The Presidents Message Trisha Kendall, MS, RN, OCN Well, who s ready for Spring? I have to say that I am grateful for the change in seasons we experience in the Greater Baltimore area. I do like watching out the window at the birds enjoying our new feeder as the snow falls. But, I m ready for re-growth, green, flowers, sunny days, and the upcoming season. In the second year in my term as your President, I am proud of the things that we have accomplished together. And, I look forward to another year of progress for both our profession and our patients. Please take time this issue to read about our advocacy efforts in Annapolis and take action. I hope that you didn t miss the Symposium this year, but if so, check out the fun and learning that took place that day. And, there s plenty of time for you to start planning to attend our dinner meetings, certification recognition bus trip, OCN review course, or annual basket bingo fundraising party! I hope to see you there. I have a personal goal this year for our chapter to increase its social media presence, improve our online experience for members, and participate as a group in other cancer awareness causes (like the Relay for Life or other fundraising event). So, if you have an interest in helping reach those goals, please reach out to me. I will need the help! (gbcons2014@gmail.com) Do you enjoy reading this publication? If so, we d love your help in writing for it. This is a great way to get published, share your stories, and take a step toward volunteering with us. Contact Peggy Torr with ideas and articles. pegtorr@comcast.net. I wish you a wonderful end of winter season, and I hope that you take time to enjoy the coming of Spring! Members in the News: Congratulations to our newest OCN s: Sarah Condon BSN, RN, OCN Rachael Mason RN, OCN Amanda Konopka BSN, RN, OCN
2 Page 2 Saint Agnes Cancer Institute Nursing Navigation Services The Saint Agnes Cancer Institute has a Support Services Team of onsite professionals that work cohesively with the goal of supporting the cancer patient and their family throughout their cancer journey. The team consists of Oncology Social Workers and Social Worker Interns, Nurse Navigators, American Cancer Society Navigator, Registered Dietician, Financial Counselor, Hope Counselors, and Genetic Counselor. The team meets weekly to discuss patient s status and needs. Oncology Nursing Navigation is an integral part of the Saint Agnes Cancer Institute patient care model. Mary McQuaige, BSN, RN, OCN provides navigation to the Radiation Oncology population. She meets patients at time of consultation with the Radiation Oncologist and follows the patient throughout their course of treatment and through survivorship. She plays an integral role in coordination of care between medical oncology at Saint Agnes as well as Kaiser Permanente. Utilizing various screening tools such as NCCN distress screening and Saint Agnes Cancer Institute nutrition and physical therapy services screening tools, Mary refers patients to appropriate team professionals in order to provide patients with comprehensive support. She is present at the weekly GI, Breast, and Lung Tumor Boards as well as the monthly GU, Head & Neck, and GYN Tumor Boards. Mary provides thorough education sessions with patients and families that are tailored to their needs. She is part of the team launching the Survivorship Program at Saint Agnes Cancer Institute. Jennie Boyer, BSN, RN, OCN provides navigation to the GI and Hematology Oncology population. There is a tremendous amount of upfront navigation with these patients. Jennie offers medical guidance, acts as a support, and helps her newly diagnosed patients and their families walk through the cancer treatment process. Jennie helps coordinate and is present at the weekly GI Tumor Board. Jennie also serves as facilitator for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society local chapter family support group. Jennie is part of the new Survivorship Program offered to patients at the end of their treatment. She has been an integral part of the Oral Chemotherapy education process to be sure that each patient receives standardized teaching to enable them to care for themselves at home. Mary Ellen Bilenki, BSN, RN, OCN is certified in Breast Health Navigation. Mary Ellen meets her patients at initial diagnosis in the Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic where she offers support and education. Mary Ellen follows her patients along the continuum of care, helping her patient work through the many challenges and decisions that can arise while coping with breast cancer. She meets them again at their surgery and the Chemotherapy NPOV to reinforce education and coordinate information and care as they begin each new step of their treatment. She is present at the weekly Breast Tumor Board. Mary Ellen is part of the team launching the Survivorship Program. She facilitates the support programs, providing education and ongoing support. She has been part of the successful team that has been awarded a Komen Grant for the third year in a row. The Komen Breast Link Program assures that women in our community have access to resources needed to make breast health a priority. During the New Patient Orientation Visit (NPOV), the patient meets with the Oncology Social Worker, the American Cancer Society Navigator and the Nurse Navigator. This visit is individualized to the patient and their specific cancer and treatment plan needs. A review of available resources, support programming, a financial summary, and education related to their chemotherapy/radiation therapy is discussed in detail. The information is summarized in an individualized Resource Book. The book is reviewed throughout their treatment journey. The Support Programming at Saint Agnes Cancer Institute is a comprehensive program providing many opportunities to assist the patient through their cancer journey. The Relax, Renew, Restore program supports all women with a diagnosis of cancer. A professional speaker, along with the social worker and navigator, lead the group through hands on activities that promote self-reflection and a safe place to exchange ideas about how to handle difficult issues.
3 Page 3 Saint Agnes Cancer Institute Nursing Navigation Services The Healing through the Arts Program offers a unique opportunity for patients and families, to express and create something new. Instead of waiting for time to heal the person, the creation of art allows us to heal while something new and beautiful becomes a memory that we preserve. Art Photography, Equestrian Healing, Beading, Humor, Journaling, Meditation are just a few of the programs offered to our patients. Our CLIMB program (Children s Lives Include Moments of Bravery (CLIMB ) is a unique opportunity for children and teens of parents or family members with cancer where conversation and art are used to help children identify and appropriately express complex feelings. Our navigators have a true presence within the community teaching about cancer prevention, screening guidelines, diagnosis, treatment options, and the importance of early detection. They each are passionate about their role. Come visit us! We would love to show you around! Mary McQuaige BSN, RN, OCN Photo: Some members of the Support Services Team at Saint Agnes Cancer Institute Front (left to right) Monica Murphy, MSW Intern, Mary Ellen Bilenki, RN, BSN, OCN, Certified Breast Patient Navigator, Jennifer Broaddus, LCSW-C, OSW-C, P rogram Manager Psychosocial Oncology, Mary McQuaige, RN, BSN, OCN, Radiation Oncology Nurse Navigator Back (left to right) Kristen Kuzawinski, Oncology Financial Counselor, Susan Strauch, BCOP, RPh, Marie Stancovich, Graduate Pastoral Counseling Intern Loyola University, Kevin LaMartina, ACS Patient Resource Navigation Resource Manager Do you have a talent that you can share with us? Are you looking for a way to give back? Please Join Us We are an organization made up of volunteers. One of our goals this year is to increase participation from our members. We believe that we become better as a result of our combined efforts, and we are looking for renewed energy> It will take some of your time, but the reward is worth it! See one of our GBCONS Board of Directors volunteers for more information.
4 Spotlight on a Member Page 4 Barbara Gentile, RBm BSN, MGA, ONC, FCN Ruth Evans asked if she could interview me for the member spotlight feature and she sent me a list of questions she would ask. As Ruth is very busy, and I am now retired, I suggested writing the article myself and Ruth agreed. I will try to follow her agenda. As an adolescent I thought my dream nursing job would have been to be a medical missionary in Africa or possibly be a Navy nurse. In realty I don t think either of those jobs would have worked well for me. My career as on oncology nurse has been very rewarding and the right one with no regrets. Prior to fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, I had a previous career working fulltime as a technician in various research laboratories at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine in downtown Baltimore. Fortunately, I was able to juggle having a family, working, night classes and clinical rotations, and graduated 35 years ago from the nursing program at the then-catonsville Community College. I returned to my previous employer (State of Maryland) as a staff nurse at University Hospital. While waiting for a position in Open Heart, I was placed in the Surgical Oncology area and discovered that THAT was the place where I wanted to be. Caring for surgical cancer patients and their families and working with great staff at an academic medical facility satisfied my need to serve and for learning. In retrospect, probably my greatest nursing satisfaction was at the bedside, caring for these people with complicated cancers and complex surgeries. After two years of bedside nursing I was recruited to work in the surgical oncology faculty practice as they were in search of an experienced RN who also had laboratory skills and could carry out some clinical research being conducted by the surgeons and residents. This was another very rewarding position as I learned much more about oncology, solid tumors and surgery, cancer treatment trials, cancer lab research, and staffed an occasional night shift in the float pool while keeping a balance with nurturing my family. I admired the people who joined the clinical trials and saw them as pioneers in determining cancer treatments and their bravery and courage in facing the unknown. They were the true heroes. On the practical side, the daytime working hours and some University of Maryland tuition reimbursement enabled me to complete my BSN and a master s degree in healthcare administration while I worked over the next eight years. My employment continued to be in the wide realm of oncology nursing. At that time, my friend and co-worker, Sally Brown, encouraged me to join ONS and my first Congress was in Baltimore as I recall. I still have the tote bag! ONS provided a network of similar nurses and opened my mind to more areas of oncology and opportunities to learn and grow. We traveled to Congresses together and were in the second group to (successfully) take and pass the OCN test in 1987. We have maintained OCN status since then. I was somewhat involved with GBCONS and became re-activated in the chapter when I began a new position that evolved into Oncology Program Manager. This position included giving cancer information and referrals on a helpline, continuing my work on the Komen Breast Cancer Symposium Committee, producing CME events, applying for funding, writing newsletters, editing papers, serving on community cancer committees, and other duties as assigned. I did not have much clinical contact and I missed the cancer patients very much. Again, Sally Brown encouraged me and I eventually served on the CE committee for the chapter. Somehow I derived satisfaction from filling out grant requests and the like! Our chapter nurses are friendly, fun, and supportive and I have been blessed to be part of this group. The chapter offerfers educational programs, activities which raise funds for various charities, fun trips, and many opportunities to get involved with our colleagues and promote quality oncology care. Getting back to my story - - - I eventually retired when my position was eliminated and I thought it best not to start a brand new job at this point in my life. My husband and I love to travel and I enjoy trips to Florida to visit grandsons (and their parents!). I plan to maintain my membership in ONS and GBCONS and my wish for the chapter is that it grows with active members. As we veteran nurses retire, we need to be replaced with new nurses who have a passion for oncology care and new ideas and flexibility to accompany the rapidly changing landscape in both oncology and healthcare. Be proud of being an oncology nurse. By the way, I took the course and am now a Parish Nurse. I am discovering the potential applications of this volunteer job and enjoy the contact with people. I still am able to incorporate some oncology nursing into this new nonclinical role and want to stay involved in the future!
5 Page 5 Continuing Education in Oncology Nursing Lisa Malick, MS, RN, OCN As a member of the GBCONS Continuing Education Committee, I support staying current with the latest developments in oncology nursing practice. My oncology career started in 1984 on the Leukemia Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, before medications like Tretinoin and Arsenic Trioxide were used for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). These drugs are now considered curative therapies for a disease that previously had a dire prognosis. The new millennium has introduced novel challenges to oncology nurses, including best approaches to care coordination, provision of survivorship care plans and monitoring adherence to oral therapy. How does one stay abreast of this barrage of information, technology and scientific advancement? Continuing education is paramount to remaining current in oncology nursing. There are many avenues to obtaining education. Membership through ONS offers multiple educational opportunities including the latest evidence based research in on-line courses and journals such as Oncology Nursing Forum and the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. ONS Congress and other conferences provide an opportunity to earn continuing education hours and collaborate with colleagues globally. Our local Greater Baltimore Chapter provides continuing education programs such as the February Symposium and the OCN Review Course. In addition, presentations at chapter dinner meetings provide information on new therapies, procedures and equipment. Continuing education is necessary for oncology certification and often for nursing licensure. The Maryland Board of Nursing is one of the few state boards that do not require continuing education for license renewal. 1 Other state boards will accept certification by a national certifying body in lieu of continuing education hours. Chapter member Mary Ellen McFadden described certification in the June 2014 newsletter as a commitment to maintaining updated knowledge of clinical practice, optimizing patient outcomes (and) highlighting nursing professionalism. 2 Initial oncology certification requires successfully passing an exam. Beginning in 2016, certification renewal will involve an individual learning needs assessment to identify one s knowledge strengths and weaknesses. Nurses complete professional development activities to ensure sound knowledge in all areas represented by the credential. 3 Staying current with oncology practice requires time commitment, motivation and a passion to be one s best. Certification is a symbol of one s dedication to acquiring and maintaining expertise in a specialized nursing field. As oncology care continues to advance, nurses must seek education to maintain competency and compliance. Pursuit of lifelong learning is vital to a successful oncology nursing career. Continuing education is paramount to remaining current in oncology nursing. References: 1American Nurses Association States Which Require Continuing Education for RN Licensure 2013. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/mainmenucategories/policy-advocacy/state/legislative-agenda- Reports/NursingEducation/CE-Licensure-Chart.pdf 2McFadden, Mary Ellen. (June 2014). The Harbor Herald. Greater Baltimore Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, 25 (2), p. 8. 3The ILNA Renewal Method. (2014). Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. Retrieved from http://www.oncc.org/ilna
6 Page 6 GBCONS Education Symposium 2015 Trisha Kendall, MS, RN, OCN A huge thank you goes out to our Programs Committee again this year for putting on an amazing morning of learning and networking. The 2015 Symposium, held on February 28 th in partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, provided our members with contact hours, an opportunity to personally sign on to our legislative efforts, and network with survivorship coordinators at area hospitals. Susan Push, RN, PhD, Lac. started off the morning with an informative and energizing talk on the Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine. Participants enjoyed her presentation, learned how to help patients access these services, and left with a better understanding of eastern understandings of health. Anne Belcher, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN then had the audience laughing with her talk on The Power of Humor. Participants learned the healing benefits of laughter, both for patients and ourselves in improving health outcomes and overall wellbeing. Sally said that picturing Anne pulling her zebra on wheels in the hall outside her office will always bring a smile to her face. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society came ready to engage the participants in personal action to improve the lives of patients accessing health plans through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. Nurses got to sign on to a petition to pass two bills up for consideration in Annapolis this session. Then, they brought a panel discussion on the Importance of Survivorship in the Cancer Care Journey. Participants learned from experts in the region on building a successful survivorship program. The panel ranged from academic, pediatric, community, urban, and rural setting nurses who were willing to network and share best practice with conference goers. This year s morning symposium was another successful event. If you would like to help plan next years event, please contact Programs Chairperson, Nancy Corbitt at ncorbitt@umm.edu. GBCONS Educational Symposium Sally D. Brown, RN, BSN, MGA, OCN, CBCN, CCRP LLS not only provided a segment of the program, but they found sponsorship for a hot breakfast. The portion of the symposium provided information concerning four institutions survivorship programs. The panel discussion was presented by Felicity Kirby, RN, Jenny Boyer RN, Kathy Ruble CRNP, and Margot Spies, RN. We heard information concerning two issue before the state legislature. Susan Push is scheduled to testify concerning the amount of education and training required to do dry needling (HB 979, SB 580). LLS provided information concerning Health Care Transparency and Access Act (SB 834 and HB 990). The community outreach for the February Symposium was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. $273.00 to support LLS. We collected Samantha Persing was the lucky chapter member who name was drawn for the GBCONS Educational Grant, and Pat Speilman won the basket filled with soup mugs and soup mixes. Thank you to all our speakers, LLS and staff, CVS Caremark, Michelle Sobczyk, Leo Cognetto, Nancy Corbitt, Lisa Mallick and Trisha Kendall for creating this well received symposium.
7 Page 10 At Congress this year, there will be a presentation, Oral Therapy: Underadherence, Overadherence, and Everything in Between. The presenters would like your help! If you have structures or processes in place in your practice or within your organizations to support patients on oral agents, please share it with them. They would like to share stoies from around the country and want our input. Please send directly to them at: Pamela K. Ginex EdD, Rn, OCN (ginexp@mskcc.org) and Susan M. Schneider, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN (susan.schneider@duke.edu) March 19th GBCONS Dinner Meeting, Jakafi (ruxolitinib) was held on March 19th at the Ruth s Chris in Pikesville. The dinner meeting was well attended by members from many different settings. We had the privilege of a very informative educational program on Jakafi (ruxolitinib)- an oral inhibitor of the JAK1 and JAK 2 tyrosine kinases and was approved in 2012. First in-class Drug to Treat Patients with: Intermediate or High Risk Myelofibrosis and Polycythemia Vera. This program was sponsored by Incyte, and presented by Maureen Thyne, PA from Weill Cornell Medical College New York, NY. Maureen provided a wonderful presentation including an overview of Myelofibrosis and Polycythemia, the indications for use of Jakafi and its side effect profile. The program was well received and prompted a lot of good discussion. For more information on Jakafi: For Prescribing Information for Jakafi and more information, go to www.jakafi.com/hcp/. Happy Certified Nurse s Day!!!!!! Certified Nurses Day honors nurses worldwide who contribute to better patient outcomes through national board certification in their specialty. A registered nurse (RN) license allows nursed to practice. Certification affirms advanced knowledge skill, and practice to meet the challenges of modern nursing. A special thanks goes out to the board for acknowledging those members of GBCONS who are certified, and encouraging those who are working toward certification. Don t forget that the review course is scheduled for September.
8 Page 10 ONS Advocates for Oncology Nurses Everyday OUR BUSYAGENDAINWASHINGTON, DC CALLSFORPROGRESS ON improving cancer symptom management and palliative care advancing and ensuring access to quality cancer prevention and care strengthening nursing workforce contributions to safeguard public health. The Advocacy Corner Trisha Kendall, MS, RN, OCN I am so proud to bring you news of our work with coalition partners this legislative session to pass important initiatives that help our patients who need to choose heath care coverage on the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. Ensuring the passage of SB0834 and HB0990 would prevent plans from discrimination techniques and making mid-year formulary changes, improving access and transparency. More Marylanders than ever are able to access health care since implementation of the Health Benefit Exchange. However, it can be daunting or nearly impossible for patients for find out what services these plans provide, which medications are on the formulary, and whether their current team of doctors will be covered. These are issues especially important to cancer patients who don t want to change doctors mid-way or following treatment. They also cannot afford to have their co-pay tier changed for their often expensive oral medications change mid-year. This is why we need to act. GBCONS has signed on with over 60 organizations in Maryland in support of this legislation, and we need your help! Please email me if you are interested in becoming involved in this important patient access and transparency issue (gbcons2014@gmail.com). Can you write testimony to be delivered to Senate and House of Delegate committee hearings? Do you have stories of patients or family members who had trouble deciphering the plans on the Exchange? Have you heard of patients whose insurance plan changes the drug formulary, which led to high co-pays for needed medications or a change in treatment used? Do you have available time during the weekday to attend a Committee hearing in Annapolis and help us fill the room? Nurses advocate for patients everyday. Take your practice to the next level and join us in the conversation in Annapolis! Clinical Corner Hematopoiesis: Think back to how difficult it was for you to understand the idea of hematopoiesis. Do you remember the first time you tried to explain this to a patient and their family? How were you ever going to educate your patients so that they would understand their disease. It is with great pleasure that we share one nurses brilliant analogy. Author: Aurora Roasa, RN, BSN The concept of hematopoiesis may be complicated to explain to both patients and students. The bone marrow produces blood, likening it to the factory. If the factory becomes defective or dirty, it must be shut down for general cleaning, as likened to a high-dose chemotherapy regimen that cleanses the marrow. This process can be compared to a clean blue shirt. Imagine a bright red wine stain on it (leukemia). It needs to be washed with the strongest detergent that contains bleach. Unfortunately, you can t just wash the spot you need to wash the whole shirt (treatment with systemic chemo). During the process of systemic cleaning, the blue part of the shirt gets affected by the bleach containing detergent (chemo) just like the various cells (platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells) are washed away and the body has to wait for the new cells to regenerate. Transplantation can be likened to adding a new de color to the bleached shirt so that it can be presentable (functional) again. Published 2015 Journal of Advanced Practitioners (JADPRO) Volume-6, number-2
9 Page 10 More Members in the News: Rebekah Adams, BSN, RN, OCN Oncology Nurse Navigator, Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, is a Winner of the ONS Congress 2015 Emerging Leader Congress Scholarship Ruth Evans, RN, BA, CNOR, OCN Lung Nurse Navigator at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center was recognized for her Poster presentation Navigating Lung Cancer Patients Toward A Timely Diagnosis: A Quality Improvement Study February 4-6, at the 2015 ANA Quality Conference. The conference was very well received this year due in no small part to the quality of your presentation. Your participation helped to disseminate nursing quality practices and advanced the profession. Rosalind Sloan, Program Manager, ANA Mary McQuaige, BSN, RN, OCN Radiation Oncology Nurse Navigator, Saint Agnes Cancer Institute, was named the Saint Agnes Hospital Nurse Of the Year, 2014~ Congratulations! Take Your Nursing Practice to The Next Level MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW FOR CONGRESS GBCONS Board Members 2015 President Past President President Elect Secretary Trisha Kendall Nancy Corbitt Ruth Evans Sally Brown Treasurer Gina Szymanski Members at Large Rebekah Adams, Ruth Evans, Sally Myers, Peggy Torr Board meetings: Held quarterly at Franklin Square and are open to chapter members GBCONS 21 years strong and counting: It is hard to believe that this is already my 3rd edition as editor of the Harbor Herald. I can t say that I was looking for any additional work when this opportunity arose, but I can say that I am really starting to like it here. The technological challenges are making me a bit crazy so bear with me. What I am loving is my heightened awareness of the wonderful work and amazing accomplishments that are generated through this chapter of ONS on a daily basis. The conferences that we have been offered, the articles that are being published, the abstracts that have been accepted for presentations, Doctorate degrees being achieved, awards that are being won, the partnerships within your communities and the money we raise for our Community Outreach is just a small example of your achievements. We have a lot of new faces at meetings, and we are having a chance to see what is going on outside of our own institutions. Take the time to share your achievements, tell us why you became an Oncology nurse, what do you find as the greatest benefit of being a member of GBCONS send us your stories. We would love to publish your accomplishments. We have a lot to be proud of, and I am very proud to be a member of GBCONS. Peggy Torr, RN, BSN,OCN pegtorr@comcast.net