Rachael Howe helped more than 65 patients with lymphoma access the care they needed last year.
It was the highest number of referrals from any regional health service to Lymphoma Australia – an organisation which connects patients to support services.
These efforts led Rachael, a Haematology Nurse Coordinator, to win the Nurse Ambassador award at the National Lymphoma Australia conference last month.
“You see so many people struggling to get to their appointments in Melbourne, so if we can alleviate that, we should,” Rachael said.
“It’s so important to make sure patients are connected to the right support services.
On receiving the award Rachael said: “It was a complete shock, but it feels good to be recognised.”
Rachael’s career in oncology nursing has spanned more than 25 years, but the passion for the field stemmed from family connections.
“I’ve had a couple of family members who have used haematology services,” she said.
After “incidentally landing” her haematology and transplant nurse role at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Rachael has worked in a number of cancer service roles since.
This included working as a cancer nurse specialist and in oncology bookings at Bendigo Health.
But she couldn’t stay away from work in haematology.
“I’ve always been interested in it,” she said.
Rachael helped establish the Haematology Advanced Nursing position, which provides care for patients with malignant and non-malignant Haematology diseases.
And it’s the love for this part of the field that has led to her going above and beyond in her role.
She does this by being the central contact for patients and clinicians, provided nursing expertise and education to local and regional workforce, shared management of oral chemotherapies and connected with metropolitan services where high level care is required.
Rachael said there’s no chance of getting bored in her job.
“It’s a very personable type of nursing and I like that,” she said.
“No day is the same and you have the opportunity to get to know and support patients and their families.
“I think that’s the best part.”
If you want to be your best with us, visit https://careers.lmhn.org.au/
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