CURE Magazine Announces Winner of the 2010 Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing

DALLAS, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive year, CURE magazine announced the winner of the 2010 Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing during a special award ceremony at the Oncology Nursing Society's (ONS) 35th Annual Congress.  Nearly 200 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and peers submitted essays to this year's contest nominating their oncology nurses who have demonstrated exceptional compassion, expertise and commitment in their patients' fight against cancer.  

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/curemagazine/43860/

This year's winner, Dorothy Wahrman, RN, OCN, with Nebraska Cancer Specialists in Omaha, Neb., was awarded the Extraordinary Healer Award in front of hundreds of her peers and Honorary Mistress of Ceremonies, actress, singer and cancer survivor, Ann Jillian.  Nominated by Valerie Bosselman, Wahrman cared for Valerie's daughter, Megan, who lost her battle with adrenal cortical carcinoma, in 2008.  Wahrman was described in the winning essay as "the most remarkable woman," whose "ability to sense the every need of patient and family was the most beautiful and natural part of her character."

"Valerie's essay immediately rose to the top of the essays presented for judging in this year's contest as it was obvious that there was an intense emotional relationship created between nurse and family," said Susan McClure, Publisher, CURE magazine. "While we know each and every oncology nurse is a healer and an asset to those on the cancer journey, when choosing a winner for this event, we look for those who go above and beyond the call of duty and it is obvious Dorothy did just that."

In addition to Wahrman, two finalists, Annette Graham, NP, AOCNP, Virginia Cancer Institute, Richmond, Va., and Jackie Broadway, MSN, FNP-BC, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, were also honored at the reception.

Honorary Mistress of Ceremonies, Ann Jillian, Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress, singer and cancer survivor, underscored the unique role of nurses in the cancer treatment journey, sharing her own personal story with breast cancer and closing the awards presentation by singing "Wind Beneath My Wings."  

"Since 2007, more than 700 nurses have been nominated for this award," said Kathy LaTour, Editor-at-Large, CURE magazine.  "The award showcases the unwavering commitment of oncology nurses and the lasting, life-changing impact they have made on their patients."

This year's Extraordinary Healer Award contest drew in nominations from over thirty-eight states including Alaska and Hawaii. Multiple international nominations came from Canada and one essay even made its way to CURE from Kenya, where nurse David Makumi Kinyanjui was nominated for setting up the very first support group in the country.

For the third consecutive year, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. has sponsored the contest and awards reception as part of an effort to recognize the professionals at the very heart of oncology care - oncology nurses.

"Centocor Ortho Biotech is proud to once again sponsor this award," said Robert Bazemore, President, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.  "The winner's and finalists' essays provide just a small window into the remarkable work that oncology nurses do every day to support cancer patients and their families, from helping to guide their medical treatment journey to providing unique educational and emotional support during a tremendously challenging time."

The winning essay will be featured in the summer 2010 issue of CURE, a free, quarterly magazine for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.  A Podcast of all three essayists reading their nominations will be available on www.curetoday.com beginning June 16th, 2010.  Additionally, the essays, photos from the event, and a Q&A with winner Dorothy Wahrman will be displayed on CURE's Facebook page.    

About CURE Magazine

CURE magazine, a member of the US Oncology family, is a free, award-winning publication from Dallas-based CURE Media Group - the national source for cancer patient education.  By combining science and humanity, CURE helps patients, survivors and caregivers navigate the cancer journey and understand their diagnosis and treatment, while providing tools to cope during and after cancer - ultimately helping them to live the life they aspire to.  US Oncology is the nation's leading integrated oncology company uniting the largest community-based cancer treatment and research network in America. Through the magazine, an annual resource guide for the newly diagnosed, books, and a new and interactive website, CURE provides a wealth of resources for everyone on the cancer journey.  For more information, visit www.curetoday.com.

SOURCE CURE Magazine