A Ray of Sunshine on the Oncology Ward

Anica Bausch, B.S.N., RN, OCN, is an absolute treasure. She is the nurse navigator for our patients with rectal cancer and is an essential member of our team. She is the first person our patients interact with when they are referred to our institution for care, and she stays with patients throughout their long and often grueling multidisciplinary treatment. Although she excels at coordinating care and navigating patients through a complex health system, what really sets her apart is her extraordinary ability to connect with patients and make them feel seen, heard and cared for.

Rectal cancer is an overwhelming diagnosis for patients to receive. Anica’s calm and compassionate demeanor helps patients manage their anxiety and fears surrounding treatment and prognosis. She is well connected in our community and able to connect patients with resources and support. Her depth of knowledge regarding the management of common side effects of rectal cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical procedures, is enormous and unparalleled. Anica coordinates our weekly multidisciplinary tumor board and ensures all relevant staging information is readily available for review and that recommendations are communicated back to referring providers. She is organized and detail oriented and goes to great lengths to ensure nothing slips through the cracks of a busy academic medical center.

Anica is an absolute delight to work with. She is a ray of sunshine in clinic every week, bringing joy to what can often feel like a stressful and overwhelming workplace. I am grateful every day to have her as a colleague.

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