Compassionate and Expert Care of Patients With Cancer

At the heart of every exceptional nurse is an unwavering commitment to compassion. In the case of our exemplary oncology clinical nurse specialist Susan K. Bohnenkamp, compassion is not just a quality but a guiding principle that shapes her interactions with patients and their families. Walking into the oncology unit, one can immediately sense the warm and empathetic atmosphere that Susie creates.

Susie’s compassion is evident in the gentle touch of her hand as she comforts a frightened patient awaiting surgery. She takes the time to sit with each patient, listening to their fears, hopes and dreams. In the oncology unit, where emotions often run high, Susie’s ability to empathize with the struggles of those battling cancer transforms routine medical care into deeply personal and meaningful moments.

While compassion forms the foundation of Susie’s nursing practice, her expertise in oncology nursing stands as a testament to years of dedicated education and experience. Susie’s journey in the field began with a profound commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in cancer care. Her continuous pursuit of knowledge and professional development has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding oncology. From understanding the intricacies of different cancer types to mastering the nuances of administering cutting-edge treatments, Susie’s expertise is an invaluable asset to both her colleagues and patients. When faced with the daunting task of explaining a complex diagnosis to a patient, Susie’s ability to translate medical jargon into comprehensible language reflects not only her depth of knowledge but also her commitment to empowering patients with information.

In the often-overwhelming journey of cancer treatment, the role of a helpful nurse cannot be overstated. Susie goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that her patients receive not only excellent medical care but also the necessary support to navigate the challenges of their illness. Whether it’s assisting a patient in understanding their insurance coverage or coordinating with support groups, Susie’s helpfulness extends far beyond the confines of her job description.

Susie’s commitment to being helpful is not limited to the clinical setting. She actively engages in community outreach programs, organizing cancer awareness campaigns and support events. Her proactive approach to addressing the holistic needs of her patients exemplifies the belief that true nursing extends beyond the hospital walls. Her role is hospital-based, but she willingly travels to the oncology clinic to work with patients and nurses in the ambulatory care setting, understanding the full care continuum.

There are many examples of how Susie has contributed to the oncology nursing profession as a clinical expert and healer. Susie serves as a mentor to direct care nurses for evidence-based practice. Two recent initiatives include implementing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for gynecology – oncology patients and use of Sea Bands to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting in this same population.

She has organized oncology conferences for nursing staff and interprofessional colleagues. She has published extensively and served on the editorial board for the MedSurg Nursing Journal – authoring important oncology topics for medical-surgical nurses. Susie was instrumental in organizing a hospital-based journal club to include frontline oncology nurses, resident and attending physicians.

An attending physician writes, “When I joined the Cancer Center and began to work at UMC [as it was known then] in 2004, almost from the first day I recognized a treasure in Susie Bohnenkamp. I was told she would take care of me, and she certainly did! She had a senior nurse educator role in the hospital, and devoted her time to two to three specialties, including Gynecologic Oncology. She rounded with me one to one, introducing me to the clinical ropes and connections I needed to have at the hospital in order to ensure our patients got the best care. She was part of the gyn oncology clinical inpatient team, which included the attending surgeons, visiting fellows, residents and students.

“She supported the whole team with her unique skills and connections. She functioned much like a hands-on navigator for our inpatients — and they benefited from the many services she suggested and implemented including wound care, case management, social work, pain service, palliative care and clergy. She had connections to obtain rapid service, e.g., emergency blood draws, imaging, pharmacy. She did hands-on teaching or management for the patients on many issues.

“She also liaised and taught the nursing staff on the floor regarding specific needs of the patients. She was the go-to person, as she knew who the best person in the hospital was to solve the need of the moment. I was connected to some individuals [such as], for instance, a senior pharmacist, who supported me both clinically and in research investigation of a complex and serious hypersensitivity issue.

“Susie cares deeply about quality of care and patient safety. She assesses patients for [the] ability to go home and orders the devices required to ensure this, and finds solutions for transportation, when the standard services are not available. She ensures that new standards are known and applied for each patient.

“Susie is a natural and enthusiastic leader, well-liked and respected. When three specialties were grouped together on one unit, she helped bring together the nurses with the teams, to the point she and some nurse leaders joined the gynecologic oncology faculty in our monthly journal clubs. The residents and nurses each presented a paper on the subject at hand, and there would be discussion.

“Sometimes, this led to an inpatient research project, which Susie would become the main person who drafted the design and implemented the project, which would involve bringing all the nurses and staff on the floor on board and enthusiastic about the goal. She led several such projects successfully, leading to publications.

“Susie is part of our team, and all the faculty depend on her, as I do. She mourned the passing of our senior gynecologic oncologist and helped our committee honor him in several major ways. She then devoted and ran a symposium [dedicated] to him, entitled Women’s Cancer Symposium, supported by the Southern Arizona Oncology Nursing Society.”

A second attending physician writes, “Susie has been an EXCELLENT colleague and friend who has been a source of support for me and the faculty all the time I have known her. Susie is one the most dedicated and hardworking people I have had the pleasure of working with at our hospital. She is very compassionate when speaking with patients, and she readily steps in to help when unexpected issues arise. She is the ultimate team player who performs her duties with diligence and positive attitude, and everyone around her is immediately uplifted given her contagious and positive attitude.

“Without exception, Susie is a dependable, personable and compassionate source of strength on the surgical wards. All my patients are particularly impressed with her professionalism and care. She displays a remarkable level of empathy to every patient that is often absent in large institutions. On a personal note, I am always happy when I interact with Susie, as she is always so approachable and friendly and does not get flustered with any complex patient scenarios that we often see in healthcare. I strongly believe Susie Bohnenkamp is an extremely valuable asset to our department.”

One colleague notes how Susie supported her this past fall, “My 30-year-old son, who is a paramedic, was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I jumped into a literature search but knew that after connecting my son to a surgical oncologist, my next call would be to Susie. Her many years in oncology nursing qualify her as an expert. After first calming my nerves, she assured me that we were following all the appropriate steps to connect my son to the best care.

“On the day of surgery, she asked me to text her when we were in pre-op, which I did. Although we had a large group of family there that day, Susie came to the pre-op area with her laptop ready and willing to stay with me for support during the surgery while she worked. I knew she was busy, so I passed on the offer. She followed up with me that night and the next day to ensure all had gone according to plan. He wasn’t even one of her patients. It is that level of commitment to patients and family that makes her stand head and shoulders above others.”

Another colleague shared a story from this past summer, “My husband was hospitalized with a sodium of 101, had a seizure, which was treated as a stroke and he then coded. Susie was there when it happened. The nurse assigned to him in neuro ICU was young, pregnant and unclear what to do when it happened.

“Susie jumped into action, and I believe she saved his life. She's the one who turned him on his side and told the nurse to call the code. I don’t remember much after that other than her wrapping her arms around me saying, ‘Let's get out of here and let them work.’ I have worked with her (Susie) for 37 years. I have never known her to be less than an extraordinary healer. Her plate can be so full, but she will add more to it to help.”

In the symphony of healthcare, the exemplary oncology nurse, Susie Bohnenkamp, emerges as a virtuoso, seamlessly blending compassion, expertise and helpfulness into a harmonious melody. Her impact extends beyond the immediate realms of patient care, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those she serves.

As we celebrate her 37-year anniversary in the noble profession of nursing, Susie stands as a shining example of the transformative power of a nurse who embodies the core values of healthcare — a beacon of compassion, a reservoir of expertise and a pillar of unwavering helpfulness.

For those of us who have the honor to work with Susie each and every day, it is our hope that she will be selected as the winner of the 2024 Extraordinary Healer Award.

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