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UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and UNC Cancer Care honored four employees with 2012 Excellence Awards.

Tammy Allred and Paula Stinson received the 2012 Nursing Excellence Awards, and Frank Simpson and Jennifer Byrd received the 2012 Clinical Services Excellence Award.

Lisa Carey, MD, Physician-in-Chief, N.C. Cancer Hospital, said, “Our nurses and staff are compassionate professionals who care deeply for and about our patients and their families. With such an exemplary group, it’s always difficult to decide on recipients for these awards, and we are grateful for the standard of care practiced not only by those honored, but by everyone at the N.C. Cancer Hospital.”

Tammy Allred, RN, OCN, is the Oncology Nurse Navigator for the Thoracic and Sarcoma Programs. She has worked with UNC cancer programs for 11 years. A nominator notes, “Tammy gives her all in whatever she does. She is the type of nurse and person you want to care for you when you are sick.” Another nominator writes, “She dedicates many volunteer hours to the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership that works to educate and de-stigmatize lung cancer and also support research in lung cancer.“

Paula Stinson, RN, BSN, CPON, CHTC, is the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Nurse Coordinator who has been at UNC for seven years. One of her nominators called her “a transplant nurse coordinator to emulate,” stating that “Paula exemplifies what a nurse should be: knowledgeable, approachable, efficient, consistently striving for excellence in her role and is an expert in her field,” while another described her as “an educator and cheerleader for pediatric transplant recipients as they are admitted and transition into inpatient care.”

Jennifer Byrd is an Oncology Patient Coordinator who has worked at UNC for four and a half years. Her nominator states, “Jennifer consistently learns what’s special about the people she greets in the Infusion Center and they are just that to her: people- not patients. How lucky we are to call her ours.”

Frank Simpson is a Medical Support Assistant for several cancer outpatient clinics who has worked at UNC for eight years. His nominator describes him as “pivotal,” and “forward looking, working toward innovation in the clinics.” She adds, “All the clinics that he supports feel that he is part of their team. He is where the university and the hospital meet to make this a great service line.”

Shelley Earp, MD, Director of UNC Lineberger and UNC Cancer Care, said, “These awards recognize the best of the best. UNC is known for its personalized care, and this year’s winners exemplify what we strive to offer patients and families facing cancer.”

Tammy Allred and Frank Simpson were unable to attend the recognition ceremony but awards were accepted for them on their behalf.

Winners of the Excellence Awards receive a $1500.00 stipend for professional education activities. The Oncology Nursing Excellence Award is presented in memory of Charmayne S. Gray, an outstanding oncology nurse who died in an auto accident in 2002. The Clinical Services Excellence Awards have been awarded for the past eight years.