Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Presents Innovations in Patient Care at Oncology Nursing Society Global Gathering

FORT MYERS, FLA., April 24, 2024 – Innovations in patient care developed at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) will be presented at the Oncology Nursing Society 49th Annual Congress in Washington, DC, the largest global gathering dedicated to oncology nursing. Submissions from FCS nurses, clinicians and team members who serve in a variety of roles across the statewide practice were among the highest scoring abstracts selected for presentations designed to empower and motivate nurses to improve and enhance their patient care practices.

Colleen Lewis, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, FCS Vice President of Nursing & Research, said, “Highly skilled and deeply passionate, oncology nurses serve in diverse roles – as healers, advocates, educators, researchers and change agents. We are so proud to showcase the innovative efforts of our team members who strive each day to improve the quality of life and outcomes for patients with cancer and their families.” Lewis oversees the direction of FCS nursing practice activities that include over 850 nurses, 280 nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as well as the clinical research department.

FCS presenters and abstracts featured at the Oncology Nursing Society 49th Annual Congress are:

• Diane Cope, PhD, APRN, BC, AOCNP (co-author) – “A Nurse-Led Videoconferencing Intervention for Fear of Progression in Advanced Cancer
• Heidi Gries, RN, OCN (primary author) – “Transitional Care Management Post-Hospital Follow Up,” with co-authors FCS Care Management Supervisor of Supportive Care Tonya Klemm, Stacy Weir, LPN, FCS Associate Director of Care Coordination Jane Porter, RN, OCN, FCS Senior Director of Care Coordination Danielle Brown, MBA BSN, RN, OCN, CN-BN and Colleen Lewis, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP
• FCS Nurse Manager Heather Levy, RN, OCN (primary author) – “Need for Remote Triage,” with co-authors Corrine MacDonald, RN, BSN, OCN and Jane Porter, RN, OCN
• FCS Nurse Manager Corrine MacDonald, BSN, RN, OCN (primary author) – “Changing Perception of Remote Triage,” with co-authors Heather Levy, RN, OCN, Jane Porter, RN, OCN, Danielle Brown, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN, CN-BN, FCS Nurse Supervisor Bobbie Sue Crow, RN, OCN and Kelly Cupo, RN, BSN
• Michelle Rampersad, PhD, APRN, AOCNP (primary author) – “Correlation Between Compassion Fatigue Levels and General Health Complaints in Oncology Nurses”
• FCS Behavioral Health Manager Karen Ridley, MSW, LCSW (primary author) – “Behavioral Health Therapy Telehealth: Evaluating the Effectiveness of In-Person Clinical Promotion and Outreach” with co-authors FCS Manager of Care Coordination Michelle Sawdon, RN, BSN, CBCN and FCS Practice Operations Manager Christopher Eliff, MHA

All accepted abstracts will be published, as submitted, in the Oncology Nursing Forum following the event.

The following FCS nurses were awarded scholarships to attend the 2024 ONS Congress from ONS and the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO):

• Leslie Harry, BSN, RN, OCN, RN (ONS)
• Heather Levy, RN, OCN (ONS)
• Ashley Gandy, BSN, RN, OCN, BHCN (FLASCO)
• Corrine MacDonald, BSN, RN, OCN (FLASCO)

A recipient of one of the 2023 peer-nominated annual FCS nursing awards, Richard Recupero, RN, was also selected to attend the 2024 ONS Congress.

“Oncology nurses are essential members of our cancer care team. They ensure the highest quality standards of patient care and operating procedures and they are igniting extraordinary change and transformation across the trajectory of care,” said FCS President & Managing Physician Lucio N. Gordan, MD.

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a professional association that represents 100,000 nurses and is the professional home to more than 35,000 members. ONS is committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care.