Amanda Stebbins, BSN, RN, OCN

Amanda Stebbins is a lifelong western Massachusetts resident who has cared for patients at Baystate for more than two decades. She served as an Infusion Suite nurse for seven years at Baystate Regional Cancer Program before stepping into her current role as manager. These highly skilled, compassionate nurses are a constant in patients’ lives as they return for ongoing chemotherapy treatments.

“The relationships we form with patients and their families is amazing,” Amanda says. “We feel honored to take care of them – our neighbors and community – at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.”

The moment a patient arrives at the Infusion Suite for their first chemotherapy treatment is a culmination of days and weeks of preparation to ensure they receive safe, high-quality care. The oncologist overseeing their cancer care has thoroughly reviewed their disease state; worked with the patient and care team to customize the course of treatment; and placed an order for chemotherapy medications and other drugs (such as those to treat nausea). Nursing and Pharmacy teams carefully evaluate this order to ensure the correct dosing. Meanwhile, the scheduling team develops a chemotherapy infusion schedule as well as an initial education session with a nurse educator to help the patient clearly understand each step of the care journey.

On the first day of treatment, infusion nurses administer chemotherapy to the patient while answering questions, allaying fears, and providing a comforting presence.

In her role, Amanda partners with the Infusion Suite team to provide safe, appropriate and compassionate care and ensures it is adequately staffed to best meet patient needs – and that includes not just care for their body, but emotional support as well. “Some of our patients can be apprehensive, nervous and in some instances scared; they may be in pain or uncomfortable; they don’t know what to expect,” says Amanda. “To be there for them and to make a connection and to help them feel better is very rewarding.”

Amanda feels beyond proud of the role her team plays in caring, healing, and lifting the spirits of those walking a journey with cancer, and importantly, providing this care close to home.

“Baystate Regional Cancer Program provides amazing care,” she says. “This is exactly where I’d want my own family or myself to be treated.”