Vanessa’s warmth and compassion for her patients are truly remarkable. Even when delivering difficult news or providing tough love, she manages to do so in a way that makes it well-received and comforting. Her ability to connect with patients is a gift. Beyond her clinical duties, Vanessa consistently spends countless hours ensuring that everything gets done, all while assisting her colleagues in the department to guarantee a positive experience for our patients. Vanessa’s passion for nursing is deeply personal. She lost her mother to breast cancer at a young age, and it is this experience that inspired her journey to become a nurse and care for others. Her personal understanding of what families and patients go through allows her to offer a unique perspective and empathy that helps both patients and their loved ones during difficult times.

One of the most notable qualities Vanessa possesses is her ability to truly listen to her patients and their families. For instance, we had a patient who was experiencing arm pain. Initially, the provider thought it might be related to the positioning of the arm during radiation treatments. However, after speaking in-depth with the patient, Vanessa suspected the pain could be due to a blood clot. She took the initiative to consult with the provider, recommending an ultrasound. The provider valued her input, and the ultrasound was ordered. It turned out that the patient did indeed have a blood clot. Vanessa's willingness to take that extra time to listen and follow through ultimately resulted in a timely diagnosis and a positive outcome for the patient.

Another example is when we had a particularly difficult patient who was hesitant to comply with his treatment schedule. Vanessa took it upon herself to follow up with him every day, making sure he was coming in for his appointments. If he didn’t show up, she would call him to check in. By the second week of treatment, the patient was attending every appointment. I overheard Vanessa say, “I’m glad to see you coming every day.” The patient responded, “I figured it’s easier to just come than to have you call me!” They both shared a laugh, and after that, the patient never missed another treatment.