Sylvester’s Jessica MacIntyre Wins Humanitarian Award
Jessica MacIntyre, ARNP, NP-C, AOCNP, director of clinical operations for the Office of the Director and co-leader of the Oncology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has been named the Humanitarian of the Year in the category of Patient Advocacy by the Southeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative.
Jessica MacIntyre, second from left, with her award plaque.
The award was presented on June 15 at the organization’s educational symposium celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day.
MacIntyre was nominated for the award by Jorge L. Calil, a Sylvester patient and three-time cancer survivor.
“Jessica has done a wonderful job creating and expanding the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Sylvester,” he said. “Her work has led to many improvements that have directly and positively affected my fellow cancer patients and their caretakers’ treatment experience and lives. Her leadership, drive and dedication to help Sylvester and University of Miami Hospital be a world leader in the care of cancer patients is unmatched.”
His wife, Kimberly, added, “Jessica helped my husband and our family through the toughest four years of our lives. He has had three cancer diagnoses in the past four years. I can never repay her for the patience, caring and friendship she shared with us.”
MacIntyre offered her own perspective and what it means to be a humanitarian.
“The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a humanitarian as a person who promotes human welfare and social reform,” she said, “but when broken down further, the definition comes to mean a characteristic of people who work to improve the lives and living conditions of others. It also encompasses having compassion for the suffering of others. I truly believe this meaning defines every provider and staff member who works with cancer patients. I am honored to have been given this award and will continue to strive to improve cancer care as an advocate of patients.”
Tags: Jessica MacIntyre, Miller School of Medicine, Southeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami