Jill Deno ('20 BSN), an oncology nurse navigator at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, was selected from 13,000 nurses employed at 14 OSF HealthCare hospitals to receive the 2020 Nursing Legacy Award. The graduate of Northern's online RN to BSN program was nominated by her manager for her efforts with cancer patients. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Deno works to ensure that no one goes through the journey alone.
According to a WLUC-TV report, Deno created a chemo side effect and immunotherapy teach book to help patients better understand side effects. Funding from OSF's Women in Philanthropy allowed her to put together treatment totes filled with goodies to help comfort cancer patients. Deno also started a cancer support group welcoming everyone, not just OSF patients.
“The work that I get to do with my fellow mission partners and the providers that we're blessed to work with is just such a joy and I'm honored,” said Deno in the TV news story.