Newswise — Chicago (Oct. 11, 2013): The Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) elected Jami Gattuso, MSN RN CPON®, to serve as President for the 2013-2015 term. Gattuso took office at the recent 37th Annual APHON Conference and Exhibit, held September 19-21 in Louisville, KY. Gattuso has been an active member of APHON for more than 20 years, having served on the Board of Directors and various committees since 1993. Gattuso was the recipient of two prestigious APHON awards, including the Jean Fergusson Excellence in Nursing Practice Award in 1993 and more recently, the Dr. Patricia Greene Leadership Award in 2011.
Gattuso, a nursing research specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. has been very active within the association, serving on the Mentoring Task Force, Steering Council and Research Committees and as the Director-at-Large from 2007 to 2010. She has presented at many APHON annual conferences and served as an abstract reviewer and judge since 2008. In addition, she has been a contributing author for various book chapters, including the Essentials of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 2nd edition.
Gattuso earned her Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee-Memphis, along with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN.
Gattuso’s vision for her presidency is to promote APHON’s Mentoring Program, increase communication to membership concerning the legislative advocacy work done by APHON representatives and further develop the association’s work to provide access to Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines and nursing research findings. Gattuso states, “I am so excited about the future of APHON! Our membership works tirelessly to provide support to nurses who care for pediatric, adolescent and young adult hematology and oncology patients, and their families, so that they can provide the very best care to them.”
APHON is the professional organization for pediatric hematology/oncology nurses and other pediatric hematology/oncology healthcare professionals. Its members are dedicated to promoting optimal nursing care for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood disorders, and their families. APHON provides the leadership and expertise to pediatric hematology/oncology nurses by defining and promoting the highest standards of practice and care to the pediatric, adolescent and young adult communities.
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