Penne To Receive Excellence in Surgical Oncology Award

The Oncology Nursing Society has named Kara Penne, RN, MSN, ANP, AOCNP, to receive the 2015 ONS Excellence in Surgical Oncology Award.

Penne, 40, a resident of Bahama, North Carolina, is a surgical oncology team lead in Clinic 3-2 of the Duke Cancer Center. She is being recognized for her expertise in the field of surgical oncology, having demonstrated a significant contribution to surgical oncology, patient education, clinical practice and nursing research.

“I love being an advocate for my patients; I’m very passionate about patient access and every day I try to keep in mind the perspective of my patients and also my co-workers,” said Penne, who received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master of Science degree in nursing from Duke University School of Nursing.

The Oncology Nursing Society’s growing membership reached a new milestone in 2014. The society’s year-end membership was a record 37,700. The society promotes excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care by providing a professional community for oncology nurses, developing evidence-based education programs and treatment information and by advocating for patient care.

Penne, who is also a past recipient of the Duke Friends of Nursing Award, first joined Duke in June 1997 as a professional nursing student (PNA) in the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic. After graduation, Penne worked on the BMT Unit, Brain Tumor Center and Neurosurgery. Since 2010, she has cared for patients in Advanced Oncologic and Gastrointestinal Surgery. Penne’s future plans include the consideration of the pursuit of a doctorate degree in nursing practice.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award,” Penne said. “There are many others here equally deserving. Duke is on the cutting edge of medicine and I cannot imagine being anywhere else.”

The Oncology Nursing Society will present to Penne the 2015 ONS Excellence In Surgical Oncology Award during the opening ceremonies of the ONS Annual Congress, to be held April 23 through April 26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For more information on the 2015 ONS Excellence in Surgical Oncology Award, visit Oncology Nursing Society.