Morgan Melancon, Director – Nursing Education and Professional Development at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shared St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s post on LinkedIn, adding:
“Such an amazing week!”
Quoting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s post:
“The Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) returned to Memphis for its 50th annual conference, bringing the nursing community together where the organization’s history began. St. Jude nurses helped establish APHON in 1976 as the specialty evolved and required dedicated standards of care, education, research and professional collaboration.
In 1969, St. Jude became the first hospital to integrate nurse practitioners into the care of children with cancer. A few years later, the institution established the Robbie Simpson Nurse Practitioner Fellowship to prepare nurses for advanced practice in pediatric oncology. Over the years, St. Jude representatives have held APHON leadership positions at both local and national levels, including Jami Gattuso, who served as APHON president from 2013 to 2015.
Sarah Currie, Morgan Melancon, Belinda Mandrell, and Gattuso led a pre-conference workshop on campus Wednesday. The session highlighted the history of patient care at St. Jude alongside innovative approaches to symptom management, education and models of care, as well as training programs to prepare nurses for opportunities across clinical care, advanced practice and research.
During APHON, Mandrell also presented on small-molecule treatments in pediatric leukemia and solid tumors, while others shared research findings and evidence-based approaches through additional presentations and poster sessions. Emily Nichols, was also recognized with the Jean Fergusson Excellence in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing Award.
‘St. Jude nurses presenting at APHON showcases their leadership and willingness to share innovative ideas and evidence-based findings with attendees,’ said Mandrell, director, division of nursing research.
APHON’s return to Memphis offered an opportunity to celebrate five decades of progress while continuing the exchange of knowledge that advances the field. Through research, education and collaboration, St. Jude nurses are helping improve care and outcomes for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases at St. Jude and beyond.”
Other articles about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on OncoDaily.
