April 21, 2000

Joan Holmes, of the Gillette Center for Women's Cancers, and Clare Swan, RN, MSN, of the Outpatient Infusion Unit, received the 2000 Susan and Arthur Durante Award for Exemplary Care and Service with Cancer Patients April 13. The $1,000 award is meant to recognize nonphysician staff for their compassion, enthusiasm and commitment in providing services to cancer patients.

The Durantes have been involved with the MGH since Arthur Durante was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease 34 years ago. The couple created the award to express their gratitude to the MGH staff and to recognize the important impact they make on patients' experiences at the hospital.

Four MGH patients nominated Swan, who has been a staff nurse in the Cancer Center's Outpatient Infusion Unit since 1986. She was described as someone who "goes the extra mile" and a "special person who is an asset to the oncology unit."

Holmes started at the MGH in 1974 as a dietary aide and now works as a patient service coordinator in the Gillette Center, where she is responsible for coordinating all aspects of a patient's care. Co-workers and patients say she is known for her warm disposition and reassuring manner, not only to patients but to all those she touches daily.

From left, Susan and Arthur Durante with Swan (sitting) and Holmes.