From my first visit to my last week of visits, I got to spend a lot of time with the staff of the Radiation Oncology department. Neil and Bertha always greeted me kindly and asked how my drive into the city was or how my weekends were.  The Nursing staff (especially Karon) who took the time to review treatment instructions and answer any questions I may have had.  I appreciated the nurses self proclaimed "Open Door" policy when it came to any questions.  Karon would even notice me in the waiting room and ask me how I was doing. Heidi was also wonderful and very supportive. It was nice having her present at my weekly meetings with Dr Bellon.  She was always sure to make sure I was tolerating treatment well and would give me supplies to help with my discomfort.  She was also very timely helping me with my requested documentation to return to work! And to my awesome Radiation techs on the "Purple Team": Holly, Lauren, and Sam.  They were always so kind, offering me warm blankets, letting me choose the music during treatment, and unnecessarily apologizing when they were running behind.  They also helped me celebrate my last day of treatment with a bubble celebration.  I am forever grateful for their kindness and professionalism. 

***

The Radiation Oncology Purple Team is exceptional in patient care. From my main nurse, Heidi DiPietro, to all the other nurses, Karen, Shelby, Michelle, and the Radiation Therapists. Each team member works in harmony so there is no missed opportunity to help each patient who is being treated. They are friendly, easy to talk to, and take the time to answer any questions or concerns with clarity so we, as patients, understand and know exactly what is going on with our treatments and we don’t feel rushed. They always were welcoming with a smile in their eyes because we all needed to wear masks. Getting radiation is not easy, but I always felt very comfortable before, during, and after each treatment. They are great representatives of Dana-Farber. 

***

I am writing to nominate the entire Purple Team at Dana-Farber for the DAISY Team Award. The level of care I received during my radiation treatment was nothing short of exceptional.

From the very first day, the Purple Team created a warm and welcoming environment. Every interaction was marked by their genuine friendliness, which made a world of difference during such a challenging time. They always greeted me with a smile, remembered details about my life and treatment, and made each visit feel personal and comforting.

They never rushed our conversations, ensuring I felt heard and supported. At the outset took extra time to explain the procedure in detail always asked about my day/weekend and wished me a great rest of the day.

One particular incident that highlights their extraordinary care involved the day when the Crowdstrike Microsoft update took the system down. I typically walked 4 miles to my 8 AM treatment, and on this day, Purple Team Holly remembered my routine and called me at about 6:30 AM to ensure she caught me before I trekked all the way over. This thoughtful and proactive gesture exemplified her dedication to her patients' well-being and saved me from an unnecessary journey.

Additionally, the Purple Team was obsessed with making sure I was in exactly the right position to receive the radiation. Their meticulous attention to my positioning ensured that the treatment was as effective as possible. This level of precision and care made me feel confident in the treatment I was receiving.

On the final day of my treatment, every member of the team individually congratulated me. After treatment, I opened my eyes to a bubble machine that blew out bubbles. It was a touching gesture. Their celebration of my milestone made me feel that they were genuinely excited for me.

In conclusion, the entire Purple Team exemplifies the qualities that the DAISY Team Award seeks to honor: exceptional clinical skill, compassionate care, and a deep commitment to patient well-being. Their professionalism, kindness, and support have had a positive impact on my treatment journey. They truly embody the spirit of the DAISY Team Award, and I am grateful for the extraordinary care they provided. Even if they don't win, please let them know they are very much appreciated!!! 

***

I have been able to collaborate with radiation nurses in my clinical specialist role. The nurses are professional and work well as a team to provide high-quality care to their patients. They are thorough in patient assessments and take the time to investigate concerns. They are also able to identify learning gaps and areas of improvement to continue to provide the best patient experiences. Specifically, the Longwood radiation team started to care for more GI patients who had previously been treated at BWH. The GI patients would come with continuous chemotherapy infusion in CADD pumps that were new to the radonc team. They requested and participated in a training on the pumps to ensure they could troubleshoot issues, educate patients, and collaborate with the medical oncology team as needed. This is only one small example of their ongoing efforts to provide extraordinary care to our patient population.