“In response to growing demand for inpatient hematology oncology services, Mass General decided to transform Phillips House 21, formerly a general medical unit, into an oncology special care unit. But such a transition required far more than simply dedicating more beds to such patients, who need highly specialized care.
Expert medical nurses care for patients on Philips 21 but only a few were chemotherapy-certified or trained in the practice of oncology nursing. They faced a tremendous learning curve to gain such expertise. Yet they embraced this challenge with extraordinary enthusiasm, skill and grace. Building upon their rich medical nursing practice, the team has rapidly developed the knowledge and skills to care for patients across the trajectory of the cancer experience, including the administration of complex chemotherapy regimens. We welcome our new oncology colleagues in Phillips House 21 and deeply admire their dedication to patient care.”
— Jackie Somerville
