Barbara Cashavelly, MSN, RN, AOCN, and Panagiotis (Panos) Fidias, MD, embraced the challenge of creating a new, 14-bed inpatient oncology unit staffed entirely by nurse practitioners (NPs) located on Phillips House 21. Starting from scratch, they organized world-class service where nurse practitioners served the primary role of caring for inpatients, a responsibility formerly held by medical residents in training. They developed a curriculum to orient and train the unit’s team, as well as processes to provide continuous professional development to the nurse practitioners, who are on the front line of a rapidly evolving dimension of cancer treatment.
The resulting NP unit has evolved into one of the shining examples of outstanding patient care in the new century. They have been asked to expand this unit to 28 beds when the oncology service moves into the new Lunder Building at Mass General in September.
Since the unit opened in June 2010, the staff has received outstanding feedback from patients and fellow clinicians alike.
