Nov. 27, 2019

Parker retires after 40 years in oncology nursing

Photo of Parker retires after 40 years in oncology nursing

Parker with Deena Gilland, RN, chief nursing officer, Donna McDaniel, RN, specialty director of oncology services, and Jonathan Kaufman, MD, medical director of ambulatory infusion centers.

Catherine Parker, MSN, RN, OCN, unit director of Winship Cancer Institute's largest Ambulatory Infusion Center, has retired after 40 years of dedicated service to oncology nursing at Winship. Parker joined Emory in 1979 working in the surgical oncology unit of Emory University Hospital as a new graduate nurse before transferring to the infusion center in 1998 where she started as a triage nurse and later became a team lead.

Parker has spent the last 13 years of her career as unit director of the Clifton infusion center, managing nearly 70 nursing professionals who assist over 100 cancer patients each day reporting for treatment. Since she started in 2006, the infusion center has treated more than 32,000 patients.

"Catherine is a caring individual whose dedication to her patients spans her entire career. The impact that she has left on Winship, more importantly, on thousands of Winship's cancer patients, is tremendous," says Winship Executive Director, Walter J. Curran, Jr., MD.

"Cancer is a team sport and requires nurses, nurse technicians, physicians, pharmacists, and researchers to work together to win the fight against the disease. I have been very honored to call the Clifton Infusion Center my team," says Parker, "Even as my time at Winship comes to a close, I am comforted by the knowledge that Winship will continue giving the best care to all the patients our infusion center touches."

Parker received her Bachelors of Science and Master's degree from Brenau University. In January 2019, she received the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation Leader for a Cure Award for her impact in cancer care. She is looking forward to spending as much time as she can with her grandchildren.

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