Abbi Bruce, director of the Hartford Region of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, has been recognized as a finalist for the CURE 2019 Extraordinary Healer Award.

This is a distinguished national award presented at the Oncology Nursing Society annual conference to honor oncology nurses who have made great strides in the field of oncology or who have demonstrated commendable compassion in patient care.

In her nomination of Bruce, Holly DeFeo noted, “Abbi’s vision and dedication to advancing strategic priorities that positively enhance professional nursing practice, the environment in which this practice occurs and the patient experience exemplify her noteworthy transformational leadership style and qualities.”

Bruce, shown at left above with DeFeo (photo courtesy of Candace Jeffery), earned a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in science of oncology from Columbia University. She is an oncology-certified nurse and has served on the editorial board and contributed to Aspen Publishers’ Oncology Services Administration manual since 2001.

“Abbi has advocated for the quality and safety of oncology nursing care by leading strategic planning and implementation of the Nursing Practice Council of the Cancer Institute,” reads DeFeo’s nomination. “This council has become the cornerstone of a true oncology nursing shared governance council that focuses on providing nurses and the interprofessional team the opportunity to contribute and comment on the development and realization of their oncology practice.”

For more information on the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, click here.