Barb McDermott, BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), received an Award of Excellence in Administration from the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) in October. The award, sponsored by Pharmacia & Upjohn, is given to an individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment and leadership in oncology nursing administration; uses creative approaches to develop and enhance oncology nursing practice and consistently demonstrate superior interpersonal skills.

Barb, a Patient Care Clinical Services Coordinator at the Agency’s Vancouver Center (VCC), manages nursing services for inpatient, medical, radiation, chemotherapy daycare and a surgical site. During her 24-year-career with the Agency, she has demonstrated exceptional administrative, strategic planning and team-building skills. Among her accomplishments, she implemented a nurse appointment system in the ambulatory care chemotherapy unit (ACCU), which has decreased patient waiting times and developed a similar model for medical daycare, and developed the role of clinical nurse leader. An active participant in the VCC clinical trials program, she developed guidelines for nurses on the administration of taxol.

Barb was a founding member and president of the BC Oncology Nurses Group (BCONG). She is also a founding member of the national Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology.

“Her contribution as an advocate for patients with a diagnosis of cancer, as a teacher, mentor and role model to nurses and cancer care providers is well known in the oncology arena,” says Rhea Arcand, vice-president, Patient Services, BCCA. “Her commitment to evidence-based practice and in-depth knowledge of cancer care, with a particular focus on understanding the cancer experience from the patient’s perspective, has contributed greatly in the development of an efficient and effective cancer care process for our patients.”

Contact: Francine Gaudet at (604) 877-6107