APSHO Honors Advanced Practitioners at Annual Conference

HIGHTSTOWN, N.J, Nov. 12, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO) recently honored several distinguished members during its annual JADPRO Live conference, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event, which attracts over 1,500 attendees annually, including oncology/hematology nurse practitioners, physician associates, pharmacists, and clinical nurse specialists, celebrated the achievements of advanced practitioners in the field.

Sandra Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN®, FAPO, the Director of Advanced Practice and a Hematology/Oncology Nurse Practitioner at The University of Arizona Cancer Center, was awarded the annual Mary Pazdur Award for Excellence in Advanced Practice in Oncology. This award, created in honor of the late Mary Pazdur, RN, MSN, NP, recognizes advanced practitioners who consistently demonstrate exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, and education in the oncology/hematology field.

Kurtin, a founding board member of APSHO, has also served as an associate editor for JADPRO, the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, and as President of the Board of Directors for APSHO. Her extensive contributions to the field include numerous regional, national, and international lectures on oncology-related topics, as well as publications in peer-reviewed journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Cancer Nursing, Clinical Leukemia, Blood, Leukemia Research, The Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, and The Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing.

Marie Parish, PharmD, BCOP, received the Kelly Young Memorial Scholarship. This award, established to provide travel funds and registration for a current APSHO member who might not otherwise have educational funding, was created in memory of Kelly Young, DNP, ANP-C, AOCN®, who served on the APSHO Board of Directors from 2019 to 2020. Dr. Young was known for her role as a colleague, mentor, teacher, friend, and mother, significantly impacting many lives.

This research highlighted the success of mentorship strategies in increasing accrual and participation of advanced practitioners in clinical trial activities.

Monica White, APRN, ACNP-BC, CNS-AH, AOCNP, was the recipient of the inaugural APSHO Mentorship Award. White's commitment to empowering others with "uncommon grace" and her exceptional mentorship, open-door coaching, and dedication to the field were highlighted. She works within Texas Oncology and has significantly impacted both individual clinicians and future AP leaders throughout the practice.

Additionally, seven individuals were honored with the lifetime designation of Fellow of Advanced Practice in Oncology (FAPO). This prestigious designation recognizes advanced practitioners who consistently work to develop the field of oncology and hematology, as evidenced by their remarkable and sustained contributions to advanced practice and their engagement in the activities of APSHO.

APSHO, a society of over 7,200 oncology advanced practitioners, continues to promote high-quality, cost-effective patient care through collaborative practice models. The organization's annual JADPRO Live conference remains a vital platform for education and networking among healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing the field of oncology.