ASTRO to honor Allegheny RN with 2011 Nurse Excellence Award

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected Linda Meyer, RN, MSN, OCN, of West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pittsburgh, as the recipient of the 2011 ASTRO Nurse Excellence Award. This award is given annually to a registered nurse who goes above and beyond the normal standards of nursing practice. Meyer will be presented with her award, a $1,000 grant, during the nurse's welcome and orientation luncheon being held Sunday, October 2, 2011, during ASTRO's 53rd Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Fla.

Meyer received her BS in nursing from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She is the radiation oncology nurse manager at Allegheny General Hospital where she has worked since 1986. In her daily role at Allegheny General, Meyer is responsible for managing the clinical and administrative activities in the Radiation Oncology Network, which consists of seven facilities. She is also responsible for providing educational and training opportunities to nurses within the Radiation Oncology Network.

An active member of several hospital committees, Meyer works across departments to develop the best possible care for her patients and education materials for her staff. Meyer is heavily involved in the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and is the co-chairman of "Camp Raising Spirits," a GPC-ONS project providing adult cancer patients with a weekend away. This project promotes physical, emotional and spiritual renewal. As a board member of GPC-ONS, she is active in compiling educational courses for oncology nurses in the Pittsburgh area. She also coordinates with Duquesne University to provide clinical rotations for second-degree nursing students to obtain their BSN degrees.

"Nurses are vital participants in patient care and radiation oncology nurses work to ensure cancer patients are receiving the safest and most compassionate care possible," Leonard L. Gunderson, MD, MS, FASTRO, ASTRO president, said. "Linda Meyer is a prime example of what matters in radiation oncology nursing. I am honored we are able to recognize her with this award."

Source: American Society for Radiation Oncology