Both receive the Kathy Ruccione Founder’s Award for Excellence In Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing

CONTACT: Steve Rutledge at (323) 361-4121

LOS ANGELES – Two Childrens Hospital Los Angeles nurses – Rita Secola, R.N., MSN, CPON and Anne Nord, R.N., BSN – received the Kathy Ruccione Founder’s Award for Excellence in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing from the Southern California Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (SCAPHON) at the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) conference, May 10-11, 2007, in San Diego.

In 1995, the SCAPHON board of directors bestowed the first Founder’s Award to Kathy Ruccione, R.N., MPH, FAAN, CPON, nursing administrator in the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and an associate professor of clinical pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Ms. Ruccione was the driving force behind establishing the Southern California chapter of the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses.

“It is an honor and privilege for all Childrens Hospital Los Angeles nurses to work with Rita and Anne,” said Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Mary Dee Hacker. “They are role models for all of us to strive to be the best nurses possible to the children and families we serve.

“The Kathy Ruccione Founder’s Award for Excellence in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing is the highest honor bestowed by SCAPHON and [Childrens Hospital Los Angeles] we are proud and honored that two of our very best were recognized this year with this award.”

Ms. Secola is the clinical nurse manager of the Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation units in the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Ms. Secola received a bachelor’s degree in nursing (1983) from Carlow College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in nursing (1988) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. She became a certified pediatric oncology nurse (CPON) in 1993.

Ms. Nord is the hematology research nurse coordinator in the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. She coordinates clinical trials in Hematology and assists in the planning, development and implementation of clinical protocols in accordance with the parameters established by the principal investigator and the hospital’s Institutional Review Board.

Ms. Nord received both an associate’s degree in nursing (1989) and a bachelor’s degree in nursing (1990) from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles.

Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century, and it is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. Childrens Hospital is one of America’s premier teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California for more than 75 years. It is a national leader in pediatric research.

Since 1990, U.S. News & World Report and its panel of board-certified pediatricians have named Childrens Hospital Los Angeles one of the top pediatric facilities in the nation.