Twenty-seven Nyack Hospital nurses recently completed the Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy & Biotherapy Course presented by Arlene Heitzmann RN, MA, OCN. The course is a comprehensive review of the best practices and knowledge needed to administer chemotherapy and biotherapeutic agents to patients.
The course is based on the latest edition of the Oncology Nursing Society’s Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. Topics included cellular kinetics, cytotoxic principles, classification of cytotoxic therapeutic agents, safety issues related to drug administration, and nursing assessment and management of the patient receiving them. “National certification validates that our nurses have the experience, knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care to cancer patients and their families. Voluntary class attendance and achievement of a 100% certification rate demonstrates that oncology unit staff members are passionate about nursing excellence,” states Margaret Levine, Acting CNO at Nyack Hospital. The nurses are:
Achamma Abraham, RN, West Nyack
Elgarlie Adolphe, RN, Spring Valley
Diahann Ahle, RN, New City
Mary Joan Ahokas, RN, Thiells
Concepcion Amos, RN, Nanuet
Carolyn Bacha, RN, Norwood, NJ
Ally Benny, RN, Congers
Christopher Clarke, RN, Congers
Elizabeth Gundayao, RN Chestnut Ridge
William Hagel, RN, Airmont
Robin Hoyes, RN, West Nyack
Virginia Irineo, RN, Nanuet
Priya Kurians, RN, New City
Charles Lohmann, RN, Monroe
Marie Malette, RN, Nyack
Cynthia Morris, RN, Garnerville
Mary Padavil, RN, Valley Cottage
Kathleen Pastore, RN, Stony Point
Leonora Solidum, RN, Tappan
Meena Thampi, RN, West Nyack
Aleyamma Thomas, RN, Spring Valley
Betsy Thomas, RN, Suffern
Regi Thomas, RN, Nanuet
Sosamma Varughese, RN, Congers
Girija Viswanathan, RN, Congers
Marianne Walsh, RN, Greenwood Lake
Susan Zabala, RN, Highland Mills
Each of the nurses who completed the course received 13.5 contact hours of continuing nursing education, and a personalized ONS Chemotherapy Provider Card. The card validates the participant has completed the course and has the knowledge needed to administer chemotherapy and biotherapy. The nurses currently practice on the newly renovated inpatient oncology unit at Nyack Hospital.
Nyack Hospital is a 375-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital located in Rockland County, NY. Founded in 1895, it is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. For additional information, please visit our web site at www.nyackhospital.org.
