Patricia Shannon brings a wealth of expertise as a clinical research nurse for phase I clinical trials at HonorHealth Research Institute.
She has witnessed remarkable transformations in cancer therapies during her 25 years in research, including 18 years at HonorHealth.
“I’ve seen therapies go from chemotherapy, which can be very toxic to patients, to more targeted therapies aimed at specific mutations in patients’ cancers,” said Shannon. “These advancements allow us to attack cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, improving patients’ quality of life.”
One of Patricia’s proudest accomplishments is being a source of hope for her patients. She cherishes the time she spends with them and their families, understanding their goals for treatment.
“I want them to have confidence in us, even if the outcome is uncertain,” she shares.
Patricia, along with team members in the institute’s Cancer Research Division, strives to provide patients with the opportunity to witness life’s milestones and to stay alive long enough for the next medical breakthrough.
As a passionate advocate for research, Patricia encourages others to consider a career in this field. She emphasizes that clinical research nursing offers autonomy, diverse opportunities, and the chance to make a profound impact on patients’ lives.
“If I had to put my CV together to look for another job, it would be probably 20 or 30 pages long with all of the clinical trials that I’ve been involved with over the last 25 years,” she explains.
Despite the challenges that come with the role, Patricia’s dedication to empowering patients and contributing to medical advancements fuels her love for her job: “As much heartache and aggravation as it comes with, I would not want to be anywhere else but right here.”
