Hope News asked some of the newer additions to City of Hope’s nursing staff about what initially drew them to the center, as well as their early impressions.

Lynne Dillender (Photo by p.cunningham)

Lynne Dillender, R.N., B.S.N.
Clinical Nurse II
Pediatrics

I joined City of Hope’s staff full-time after working here earlier on a three-month assignment as a travel nurse.

At that time, it was a wonderful surprise. The nurses treated me like I was a full-fledged staff member, not just someone here on a temporary basis. It’s hard to describe that feeling. It was the little things. People included me and made an effort to get to know me.

So when I wanted to settle in Southern California, an opportunity came up and I decided to return here.

I’ve found City of Hope to be a special place. The patients have so many good things to say about the facility. It’s a very positive atmosphere, and very patient-centered. Everyone who works here has the same goal — to do what’s best for the patient and what’s best for curing cancer.

And the kids are amazing. They’re very wonderful to work with. They have the greatest attitude — they just bounce back. They’re very inspiring.

Kathy Flanders (Photo by p.cunningham)

Kathy Flanders, R.N.
Telephone Triage Nurse
Triage Nurses Call Center

I came to City of Hope after many years working in a community hospital. I have friends employed here, and they are very happy employees and encouraged me to come to City of Hope.

I am new to oncology and phone triage, so I view it as a great opportunity to learn a whole new aspect of the medical field. I see every call as a challenge and learning experience.

My position involves really listening to what a patient is experiencing. I see myself as a patient advocate, and my goal is to assess the patient’s problem and resolve it appropriately.

Initially, City of Hope felt big and overwhelming. Everyone was kind and welcoming, and it didn’t take long to feel like an integral part of the patient-care team.

Everyone is so directed toward the patient — tuned in to each individual patient and family. That’s something I sensed right away, and a year later, I still see it and I’m grateful to be a part of this team.

Anna Antonowich-Jonsson (Photo by p.cunningham)

Anna Antonowich-Jonsson, R.N., M.S.N., F.N.P.-B.C., O.C.N.
Nurse Practitioner
Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

City of Hope is most oncology nurses’ dream. The reputation is amazing. For hematopoietic cell transplants, City of Hope is the place you want to be.

I was recruited to City of Hope from Northern California shortly after my mother’s death in the summer of 2010. She always encouraged me to work where I could make an impact in patient care. It all just fell into place.

There are amazing facilities and research here, but the people are the best part.

I feel really blessed to work with the patients I work with. Our patients are very, very special. We gain so much more from them than we could ever give.

The physicians are very kind, easy to work with, and they are truly amazing. City of Hope also has a wonderful group of nurse practitioners/physician assistants who work so very hard to provide patient care. They’ve all made me feel very welcome.