NMDP Manager Recognized

Twin Cities Nurse Receives National Nursing Award

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) has honored Claire Keller, RN, MN, OCN, with its Josh Gottheil Memorial Bone Marrow Transplant Career Development Award.

The award is presented to registered nurses for their commitment, contributions and professional expertise in continuing professional practice in bone marrow transplantation nursing. The award includes a cash grant to attend a continuing-education program(s) which will further the recipient's professional goals.

"To be recognized by my peers is an honor to me. This award recognizes the impact I have tried to make in the lives of the patients I serve as a nurse," Keller said. Keller earned her master's degree in pediatric hematology at the University of Washington and has more than 20 years of experience as a nurse, of which 18 was spent as an oncology nurse. Keller is currently the Professional Education Manager at the National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP).

"In my opinion, Claire's years of experience in BMT nursing in addition to her interpersonal skills in dealing with nursing staff and the medical team contributed to the excellent care for patients. She was actively involved in providing clinical guidance in the care of patients with complex medical issues," said Chatchada Karanes, NMDP's Medical Director. "In addition, she has managed to take the message of stem cell transplantation as a viable treatment option to other health care professionals, so that patients can benefit from the therapy."

In her role as the NMDP's Professional Education Manager, Keller works closely with physicians and other health care professionals to educate the medical community about marrow and blood stem cell transplantation as a viable treatment option. In addition, she also oversees the NMDP's medical professional accreditation and continuing credits programs.

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is the largest professional membership oncology association in the world. ONS is leading the transformation of cancer care by initiating and actively supporting educational, legislative, and public awareness efforts to improve the care of people with cancer. With a commitment to excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care, ONS provides nurses and other health care professionals with access to the highest quality educational programs, cancer-care resources, research opportunities, and networks for peer support.

The NMDP is committed to its mission to extend and improve life through innovative stem cell therapies. As of April 30, 2002, the NMDP has facilitated more than 14,000 transplants throughout the world for patients with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and aplastic anemia, as well as certain immune system and genetic disorders. The NMDP is the only organization that offers searching patients who do not have suitable family donors a single point of access for all three types of stem cells used in transplantation: marrow, peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood. Through its extensive U.S. and international Network, the NMDP manages the largest and most diverse Registry of volunteer donors, including more than 20,000 cord blood units. Matching donors to patients is only part of NMDP's life-saving mission. The NMDP also provides support for patients and physicians and conducts research studies aimed at increasing opportunities for and improving the outcomes of stem cell transplants.

For more information about the NMDP or marrow and blood stem cell transplantation, call 1-800-MARROW-2.