News

Beebe Medical Center Nurses Earn Oncology Certifications

03/17/09

Three nurses at Beebe Medical Center have earned their Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN), validating their knowledge and skills in working with cancer patients.

This accomplishment reflects their focus on offering quality care to the patients of the Tunnell Cancer Center. The nurses are: Janie Wells, RN, OCN, Elizabeth Wilson, RN, BSN, OCN, and Suzanne Vazzano, RN, OCN.

Ms. Wells, who lives in Milton, works in Medical Oncology with medical oncologist Aasim Sebhai, MD. She joined Tunnell Cancer Center two and a half years ago following her graduation from Beebe School of Nursing. During her studies at the school, she spent a summer working at Tunnell Cancer Center in the Extern Program, an educational program to introduce students to nursing at Beebe Medical Center.

Mrs. Wilson works in Medical Oncology with medical oncologist and Medical Director of the Cancer Center, Srihari Peri, MD. She has been with Tunnell Cancer Center for five years, working in the infusion center, triage and the medical oncology office. She also attended Beebe School of Nursing. Before graduation, she worked as a nurse tech at Beebe Medical Center. A summer working at Tunnell Cancer Center as part of the Extern Program sparked her interest in working with cancer patients. Ms. Wilson earned a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Wilmington University in 2008. She also lives in Milton.

Ms. Vazzano, who earned her OCN as a recertification, works in Medical Oncology and is a charge nurse in the infusion center. She has been an oncology nurse for 23 years. She joined Beebe Medical Center nearly two and a half years ago from Johns Hopkins University Hospital where she worked as a clinical nurse at The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in Medical Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Outpatient and Home Hospice departments. She has previously worked as a Nurse Manager and Director of Nursing in Home Infusion Therapy in the Baltimore and Washington area. Ms Vazzano, who lives in Lewes, transferred to Tunnell Cancer Center 18 months ago from Beebe Medical Center's Same Day Surgery Department.

The Commission on Cancer requires that nurses who work in comprehensive cancer centers achieve specialized oncology nursing knowledge and skills for the Cancer Center to maintain its accreditation status. Fourteen of the Center's 23 nurses hold this specialized and additional certification, and several more are preparing to take the exam in 2009.

We are extremely proud of those who are taking on the rigorous training to earn this certification, says Cherrie Rich, Director of Oncology Services for Beebe Medical Center. It demonstrates their commitment to our patients, as well as to attaining an in-depth knowledge of oncology, which enhances the quality of care we can provide. Our ultimate goal would be for all of our nurses to have OCN certification.

Tunnell Cancer Center was established in 1995. It has received the Commission on Cancer's highest accreditation with commendation as a comprehensive community cancer center. Its clinical specialties are medical oncology/hematology and radiation oncology. Nearly 200 patients visit the center each day.

Caption: Left to right: Tunnell Cancer Center nurses Suzanne Vazzano, RN, OCN, Elizabeth Wilson, RN, BSN, OCN, and Janie Wells, RN, OCN, recently earned their Oncology Nursing Certification.


Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org.