Nurse turns focus to research, clinical trials
 
For years, Tammy McNeil, RN has been a familiar face in the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center’s infusion suite. She has assisted patients with their chemotherapy and gotten to know their families and friends.
 
McNeil is taking that knowledge and 26 years of nursing expertise and turning her attention to research and matching patients with leading-edge clinical trials.
 
“It’s my goal to see the charts of new patients before we actually see the patient and screen for protocols and trials that they may be eligible for and what is available to them,” she said. “That way, when they see the doctor, they see all of their options for treatment.”
 
Finding a match for a clinical trial depends on many factors including the patient’s diagnosis, age, treatment history, metastases and comorbidities.
 
With that information in mind, McNeil can search the databases of trials available through the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Puget Sound Oncology Consortium, pharmaceutical companies and other source for current studies. Her preliminary training has included the standard 32 computer-based modules regarding Research with Human Subjects, and a day at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Learning will be ongoing as McNeil becomes familiar with the details and clinical pathways of the clinical trials process.
 
Clinical trials are an essential part of research as new drugs and treatments are developed in the fight against cancer. According to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, cancer trials usually compare existing treatments to something thought to be better, so cancer patients always receive at least the best treatment currently available.
 
Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center is also a member of the Southwest Oncology Group, one of the largest of the National Cancer Institute-supported cancer clinical trials cooperative groups in the United States with a primary mission for clinical research in the prevention and cure of cancer.
 
McNeil is taking the opportunity as research nurse to use her experience, yet try something new to benefit patients.
 
“I want to extend myself and be able to do it long term and stay involved with patients,” she said.
 
As a nurse in chemotherapy, McNeil describes the work as “taking a high-thinking job and put it on a treadmill.” It’s busy and fast paced and every action by the nurse has an immediate impact for the patient.
 
McNeil will continue to assist on occasion in the infusion suite and looks forward to working with the oncologists.
 
“They continuously teach us. We ask, they answer. They are wonderful instructors,” she said. “I look forward to working with the doctors and the patients to make it seamless.”

For more information call Tammy McNeil at 360-814-2687 or email tmcneil@skagitvalleyhospital.org.