AOCNP® of the Year
Theresa Yeo, PhD, MPH, ACNP-BC, AOCNP®
Surgical Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Co-Director Jefferson Pancreas Tumor Registry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Theresa Yeo has been an oncology nurse for more than 23 years. In 1997, she co-founded the acute care nurse practitioner program at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, which allowed students to choose an oncologic advanced practice nursing focus. Later, she developed a new MSN program at Thomas Jefferson College of Nursing called “Advanced Practice Oncology Nursing for Diverse and Underserved Populations,” which helps to develop knowledge in caring for cancer patients from diverse backgrounds. Theresa has been active in ONS since 2004 and has also served in numerous leadership positions in other professional nursing organizations. Through her research, she has more than 42 peer-reviewed publications and has presented it at numerous conferences. She is dedicated to helping her students pursue advanced oncology certification.
CBCN® of the Year
Elisabeth King, RN, FNP, AOCNP®, AGN, CBCN®
Executive Director of Genomics and Precision Medicine, City of Hope, Pasadena, CA
Elisabeth has been instrumental at her institution in regard to getting financial support for oncology nursing certification. In addition, she established a same-day genetic testing program for breast cancer patients who need urgent testing for surgical decision making. Working with physicians in other areas, she has helped to develop genetic risk assessment services to patients with family histories of breast cancer. She has created numerous patient education materials for high-risk patients. In 2020, she helped ease transitions to telehealth and stepped up as a leader at City of Hope to help deal with COVID-19 impacts on patients. Outside of work, she is involved in numerous professional organizations through advisory boards, board positions and volunteer committee work.
OCN® of the Year
Carlin Cialino, BSN, RN, OCN®
Clinical Nurse IV- Charge Nurse, Penn Medicine, Medford, NJ
Carlin has been an RN for 40 years and an oncology nurse for 14 of those. She is instrumental in encouraging her colleagues to get certified with review courses, going to conferences and obtaining review materials. As a result of her efforts, the majority of the staff in her department is certified. She extensively volunteers her time outside of work. She is an expert within her team on central line care and sepsis and has led information sessions on the topic. She works with Be The Match, Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and has taken the lead on multiple fundraising efforts throughout the years. According to her nominator, “Carlin supports staff emotionally in a way that I cannot express. She has kept us calm and sane throughout out which is evidenced by the ability to retain our staff long term.” She has won numerous awards including a Daisy Award, a “Good Catch Award” and a Dorothy Bortdorf Clinical Leadership Award, twice.
Employer Recognition Award – Large
Atrium Health - Levine Cancer Institute
Charlotte, NC
Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) has been a long-time advocate for certification. They advertise a preference for certified nurses in their job advertisements and leadership positions are required to earn either a clinical or leadership certification within one year of hire. Supportive roles require certification within two years. LCI hosts a review course annually and offers educational assistance to its nurses between $600 and $3,000 per year. Certifications are displayed on name badges. LCI has been in the ONCC FreeTake program since the beginning and nurses have been certified through the program. Overall, a very strong and detailed background of certification support.
BMTCN® of the Year
Haesu Jin, RN, BSN, BMTCN®
Clinical Nurse III, Duke University Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC
At Duke University Medical Center, Haesu is a leader in her unit through her certification promotion and mentorship for new nurses. She has served as a mentor for international student nurses and gave a presentation in South Korea. Haesu is very involved in clinical research – she has presented her findings at the TCT meetings and ONS Congress. She is also part of a multidisciplinary research team. Outside of work, she serves on the North Carolina Korean Nurses Association and Oncology Nursing Society chapter board vice president. As an advocate for oncology nurses, she attended the ONS Capitol Hill Days in DC. She served as a BMTCN item writer this year.
