We salute those who - New Orleans City Business

NURSEKim HaleyPosition: registered nurse, Crescent City Physicians Inc. atTouro InfirmaryAge: 36Family: husband, Ron; children, Emma, 10, Ally, 8, Zachary, 4Education: bachelor’s degree in nursing, Louisiana StateUniversity — New OrleansHelping female cancer patients moves Kim Haley beyondfocusing on their hardships to appreciating theirstrengths as overcomers.“It teaches me never to give up and to always to havehope,” said Haley, who began her career 14 years ago as aninpatient oncology nurse. She has worked with Touro gynecologiconcologist Dr. Joan Cheng, arranging outpatient carefor the past seven years.Haley coordinates Cheng’s patient load, assessing patientneeds and coordinating treatment and follow-up care. Sheencounters women of all ages and socioeconomic levels whoimpress her with their ability to balance family, work, treatmentand dreams without dropping the ball.“They juggle all of these entities along with being apatient and a cancer survivor,” said Haley, rememberingone patient with whom she’s developed a friendship overrecent years. The patient did everything right, takingexcellent preventative care of herself, Haley said, but stilldeveloped a gynecologic cancer.“When I see everything that she does and recall everythingthat she’s been through, it’s just inspirational,” Haley said. “SheRegistered nurse Kim Haley checks Shawanda Jones’ temperature.knows exactly what’s going on ... exactly what the end resultwill be. She still continues to be treated and continues to fight.”Haley had no particular desire to become an oncologynurse while in school, but was placed on an oncology floor asher first assignment after graduation. She already had developedsensitivity to the overwhelming challenges cancerpatients face, as her mother underwent treatment for lymphomaduring Haley’s college days.“I learned that you really need a health care advocatewhen you’re going through all that” and navigating the mazeof treatment, Haley said. “It makes me feel better if we canhelp them make that transition.”And she has no plans to leave anytime soon.“My goal is to make this process as seamless as possible.If I can make it easier for the patient ... that’s my purpose.”•— Diana Chandlerphoto by Frank Aymamiphoto by Frank AymamiNURSEPaula HarrelsonPosition: oncology nurse, Touro InfirmaryAge: 52Family: husband, Andrew; dogs, Hank, WillieEducation: nursing degree, Wesley Medical Center School of NursingPaula Harrelson checks onchemotherapy patient CynthiaJouillian at Tour Infirmary’soutpatient oncology center.In the 25 years since earning her nursingdegree, Paula Harrelson has worked in intensivecare, surgery and recovery units.It’s her experience overcoming a personalhardship, though, that has shown her whereshe really needs to be.“Having lived through breast cancer, somethingchanged in me,” Harrelson said. “I knewI could put myself in the shoes of someone withcancer and could make a difference in theirlives and inspire them. That’s when I decidedto take my life and career in a new direction.”In 2005, just one year removed from herown battle with breast cancer, Harrelson accepteda position with Hematology and OncologySpecialists, where she delivered chemotherapyto outpatients and assisted them with billingand prescription issues. She now does similarwork at an outpatient clinic at Touro Infirmary,where she has made it her mission to spreadhope and relief to her patients and their families.“I’ve been cancer free for five years, but gettingthere and getting through the treatmentwas tough,” Harrelson said. “I understand thepain and suffering these patients go through.Some think they won’t get through it. But youalways do, and I use myself as an example.”Harrelson said she takes time to get to knowall of her patients personally to identify theirindividual medical, nutritional and emotionalneeds. She finds it is just another way to keepthem going on the right track.She has even helped develop EnCourage, asupport group that addresses some the issuesaffecting younger women with breast cancer.“My partners felt there needed to be a communityin the city where young women can goto find answers, share experiences and provideeach other with support and hope.”•— Robin ShannonNew Orleans CityBusiness — May 25, 2009 17