November 2014
Jan
Siler
,
RN
Stem Cell Transplantation
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

Exemplary service, patient advocate and a positive attitude. As an experienced nurse on the stem cell transplant unit Jan Siler is routinely assigned to care for the most complex patients. Recently one of the patients undergoing transplant on our unit began to exhibit signs of poor emotional coping. Initially the patient lashed out angrily at the healthcare team and tried to focus on details that would give her some control over her difficult situation. Unfortunately the patient had no family members or friends in Houston who could help defray her anxiety and loneliness. Recognizing that the patient was not always rational, Jan engaged multiple members of the multidisciplinary team to help mediate the situation, and continually acted as patient advocate. As the patient became more ill during the course of her treatment her coping skills deteriorated but Jan acting as her advocate carefully worked with others disciplines to ensure the patient had adequate pharmacologic support. It is my firm belief that despite the tremendous suffering this patient endured her experience was immeasurably improved because of the exceptional clinical skills and exemplary service that Jan provided.