Medical Spotlight: Patrice Hunter

Patrice Hunter is a transplant nurse at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

I have worked with the bone marrow transplant (BMT) population for nearly six years now. Prior to working with BMT patients, I could have never appreciated all that a bone marrow transplant entails. Caring for a BMT patient is all about attention to detail. I believe the BMT nursing practice reflects that detail. The role of the nurse as part of the BMT team is to care for the complex needs of BMT patients, including the conditioning period prior to the transplant and the recovery phases following transplant. Nurses are strong advocates and provide a wealth of support that is focused on the transplant patient and family.

Bone marrow transplant patients amaze me every day and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to care for them. Witnessing their courage, strength, and resilience through the hardships of transplant keeps me dedicated to my job. Undergoing a bone marrow transplant can be difficult and stressful. However, the right amount of support can make all the difference to patients and families alike. I have had the privilege of witnessing and remain grateful to The Bone Marrow Foundation for the amazing services and programs available. The Foundation provides a source of hope to patients and families through financial, educational, and emotional support as they battle their diagnosis.