I have had the privilege to work with Dee for 15 years. I started as a new nurse on M9, inpatient pediatrics. Dee was an NP in our then Pediatric Observation Unit (POU), which has now transitioned into the Pediatric ICU (PICU). Dee's expertise and knowledge have always been such an asset to the pediatric team and to her patients. We had many emergencies and many transfers to the POU/PICU. Dee's presence and demeanor have always been immediately calming in an emergency. She brings a sense of peace during situations that can be chaotic. I remember we had a newly diagnosed leukemia patient who was transferred from an outside hospital. We sent labs once the patient was on the unit, and the patient's WBC was significantly elevated. I made one call to the PICU and Dee happened to answer the phone. Once I described the situation, Dee's response was, "I will be right over." This has always been her response to any scenario. She has always been willing to help and be a guide to anyone in need.

Dee has now transitioned as the pediatric NP for pediatric patients who are seen at our Long Island Regional sites (Nassau & Commack). I decided to transfer to Nassau 3 years ago to work in Ambulatory Infusion. While I was anxious to start a new position, I was relieved knowing that I would still be caring for our pediatric patients alongside Dee. All of the pediatric patients and families love Dee. She is the most devoted, caring, and selfless nurse practitioner. She is there to calm the patients and their parent's worries and put them at ease. To the staff, she is a breath of fresh air. She is always present and readily available. She supports us in any and every way. Whether it's something simple as placing orders or helping to de-access a port and give injections, she always puts patient care and patient safety at the forefront. She wears so many hats across the pediatric platform at MSK. She acts as a liaison for the APPs on our Outpatient Pediatric Chemo/Bio Subcommittee. She is currently working to help standardize the workflow for pediatric hypersensitivity reactions across all regional locations. On her days off from treating pediatric patients on Long Island, she takes extra shifts in the PICU, M9, & PACC. Dee is truly one-of-a-kind. Her love for her profession truly shows, and everyone she cares for and works alongside feels it. T

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Dee is a pediatric Nurse Practitioner providing care to the pediatric population in the regional outpatient locations at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dee works effortlessly and tirelessly to increase pediatric patient access closer to home. She is a valuable team player, providing a calming presence during difficult times. She is a strong collaborator with the frontline nurses, ensuring they feel comfortable to care for pediatric patients. She looks for educational opportunities and always provides the "why" behind changes. She has become a resource for nurses in the care of pediatric patients and will be the first to roll up her sleeves to lend a helping hand no matter how daunting the task. Dee's level of compassion shines through not only with the staff but with patients as well. She spends time with patients and families, holding their hands during scary times, whether it be an end-of-life discussion, mediport access, or chemotherapy. She creates a welcoming environment during a difficult time and has organized birthday, graduation, and end-of-treatment celebrations, with each party themed to the child's favorite topic. Her level of knowledge and expertise provide patients and families with added comfort. Her level of commitment to staff and patients can be endlessly described yet never fully captured by words.

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Dorothea "Dee" is the most exceptional NP I have ever seen or had the pleasure of working with. Dee takes care of our youngest cancer patients, the pediatric population, here at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dee has a knack for understanding special patients who range from only a few months old up to young adulthood. Patients trust her completely with their care and feel confident about the decisions she makes. Dee has a way of making even our teenagers feel comfortable talking about subjects that they may not want to discuss with their own parents, such as relationships during cancer treatment.

Dee is calm on her feet during emergency situations, such as a time when a young boy was quickly decompensating, and Dee stepped in and knew just what to do. Furthermore, after such events happen, Dee always de-briefs the nurses who were involved to discuss what went well and what could be improved in the future. She is an absolute asset to our unit and the entire institution, and we are so fortunate to have her as part of our team.