USON US Oncology (MM)

US Oncology Names 2003 Pearl Moore Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award Winner National Award Recognizes Excellence in Oncology Nursing Leadership in the US Oncology Network HOUSTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Oncology has named Vickie Gessner, R.N., O.C.N., as the 2003 recipient of the Pearl Moore Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award. Gessner, an oncology nurse at Texas Cancer Center -- Fort Worth, was presented with the second-annual award at US Oncology's recent Fall Conference. "This recognition is an extraordinary honor," said Gessner. "Enhancing the delivery of high-quality care to our patients, while strengthening the professionalism of our nursing staff, continues to be my life's work." Gessner, one of six finalists for the award, was cited by the judging committee for her leadership, and support for patients and other nurses. "Vickie truly epitomizes the spirit of the Pearl Moore Award," said Dianne Richardson, associate director of Clinical Operations, US Oncology. "Vickie's 18 years of service as an oncology nurse, 15 of those years in a leadership role, illustrates her determination to give patients, their families and caregivers the support they need to win their struggle with cancer. She is a great example of the heroism oncology nurses practice every day." Gessner is the current president of the Fort Worth Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), and a member of the Ambulatory/Office Nursing Special Interest Group (SIG). The Pearl Moore Excellence in Leadership Award is an annual award that recognizes excellence in oncology nursing leadership. Recipients of the award are nominated by their peers and are the embodiment of the principles and energy that Pearl Moore exemplifies through her actions. Finalists were selected from US Oncology's network of affiliated practices and included Linda Arneson, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Linda Holliday, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N. of Indianapolis, Ind.; Alison Lynch, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N. of Niles, Ill.; Karen Miller, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N. of Fairfax, Va.; and Julie M. White, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N. of Tulsa, Okla. The award is named in tribute to Pearl Moore, a US Oncology Medal of Honor Award recipient, and a former nursing school director who became one of the first clinical Nurse Specialists in Oncology, following her mother's death from cancer. A 10-year cancer survivor, Moore is the co-founder and CEO of the Oncology Nursing Society, a worldwide leader in issues of importance to cancer patients and their caregivers. In addition, she is a leading voice on the National Dialogue on Cancer, the national Patient Advocate Foundation and numerous other bodies. Moore is also an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. About US Oncology, Inc. US Oncology, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is America's premier cancer- care services company. The company provides comprehensive services to a network of affiliated practices -- comprised of more than 850 affiliated physicians in over 450 sites, including 76 outpatient cancer centers -- in 30 states, with the mission of expanding access to and improving the quality of cancer care in local communities and advancing the delivery of care. These practices care for 15 percent of the country's new cancer cases each year. DATASOURCE: US Oncology, Inc. CONTACT: Stacey Paull of US Oncology, Inc., +1-832-601-6249, or Web site: http://www.usoncology.com/

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