Melissa Andres, RN, BSN, OCN, CBPN-C, has received the Candace K. Eyler Scholarship Award for her philosophy, compassion, work ethic, and commitment to her patients that the late St.Vincent Hospital nurse Candace K. Eyler also demonstrated. The Candace K. Eyler Foundation and The College Network created this nursing education scholarship after Eyler’s death from breast cancer in 1987. Andres will pursue a master’s degree in nursing administration. In September, Andres presented the poster “Best Practices in Patient Navigation, Genetic Services, and Screening and for Minority Communities and Remote Sites” at the 3rd Annual National Coalition of Oncology Nurse Navigators conference.
Linda House, RN, BSN, MSM, executive director, St.Vincent Cancer Care, has been appointed to the National Cancer Institute Director’s Consumer Liaison Group, a federal advisory committee whose members are chosen for their expert understanding of the perspectives and dynamics of the cancer research community. House also serves on the leadership board or committees of Indy’s Super Cure, a campaign of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee to raise awareness about the Komen Tissue Bank and breast cancer research; Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization; American Society of Clinical Oncology/C-Change Together; the Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials Breakthrough Collaborative Expert Panel; and the Patient Advisory Board of the Cancer Patient Resource Guide.
Michael Callahan, MD, received the Young Investigator Achievement in Research at the 7th Annual St.Vincent Health Research Symposium on June 8.
Stephanie Cohen, MS, CGS (right), and Dawn Mcilvried, MS, CGS, St.Vincent Cancer Care genetic counselors, recently published their paper, “Impact of computer-assisted data collection, evaluation and management on the cancer genetic counselor’s time providing patient care” in Familial Cancer: Volume 10, Issue 2(2011):381-89.
Dwayne Kniola, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, received certification as an oncology social worker. Kniola coordinates Survivorship Programs for St.Vincent Cancer Care.
Robert Liebross, MD, radiation oncologist, will present his research, “A Feasibility Trial of Concurrent Radiation, Temozolomide and Bevacizumab Followed by Temozolomide and Bevacizumab for Resectable and Unresectable Glioblastoma Multiforme of the Brain” during at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s annual meeting in October.
Karen Astley-Moore, RN, BSN, OCN, CMCN, has been named Director, Navigation and Survivorship, at St.Vincent Cancer Care, Indianapolis. Astley-Moore joins St.Vincent Cancer Care with more than 25 years of experience in oncology, including nursing, leadership, the pharmaceutical industry, and consulting. Most recently, she served as Principal with DK Pierce and Associates, where she specialized in strategic planning, business development, and reimbursement for industry, oncology practices, and organizations across the United States. Prior Astley-Moore served in multiple roles for Eli Lilly and Company. At St.Vincent Cancer Care she will oversee patient navigators and survivorship coordinators, a multidisciplinary care coordinator, and the St.Vincent Gynecologic Oncology practice.
Amy Benefiel, RN, BSN, bone marrow transplant coordinator, St.Vincent Cancer Care, Indianapolis, presented on cancer related fatigue at St.Vincent’s 8th Annual INDY Hematologic Review, held March 12, 2011, at the Conrad Hotel in Indianapolis.
a
Ruemu Birhiray, MD, medical oncologist, St.Vincent Cancer Care, Indianapolis, was recognized by the National Cancer Institute as one of the investigators who enrolled the most patients to cooperative group clinical trials through the Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) in 2010. The CTSU is a national network of physician who participate in NCI-sponsored Phase III cancer treatment trials.
Richard Freeman, MD, thoracic surgeon and medical director, St.Vincent Cancer Care, Indianapolis, has been appointed to the executive board of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation as a member of the board of directors of the Indiana American Lung Association.
Claudia Lord, BA, CCRP, clinical trials data analyst, Indianapolis, contributed to an article that appeared in the April/May issue of the Association of Community Cancer Centers’ Oncology Issues about using an online tool to understand and improve clinical trial accruals.
Annie Shaynak RN, BSN, has been appointed Director, Screening and Diagnosis, for St.Vincent Cancer Care, Indianapolis. Shaynak has been director of several hospital units at St.Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, including a unit caring for post-surgical cancer patients. Shaynak’s team will include the St. Vincent Indianapolis area breast centers, the genetic counseling program, and the cancer screening program, including the mobile van and community outreach coordinator.
Laurie Valle, MD, has joined St.Vincent Cancer Care, Indianapolis, as director of Cancer Clinical Trials. Dr. Valle was a regulatory consultant at Eli Lilly and Company and developed the clinical trial program at the Nevada Cancer Center, where she worked with the pharmaceutical industry on Phase I-IV trials. Building a stronger, more accessible clinical trials program at St.Vincent Cancer Care is one of Dr. Valle’s goals.