September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and Daily Nurse is proud to name Leslie Griffith, a staff RN who spent more than 40 years helping children with cancer at the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health as the Nurse of the Week.
“Griffith is not only an exceptional oncology nurse but a beloved colleague. As she ends a magnificent career, she continues to be an inspiration to nursing and giving back to the next generation by encouraging others to go into medicine,” says Kim Williams, Director, Patient Services, Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
At age 18, an x-ray revealed a benign, rare bone tumor in Griffith’s neck after an injury from a horseback riding accident. She planned to attend Trinity University as a liberal arts major. However, the life-changing experience led Griffith to change her major and head off to nursing school at the University of Texas in Houston.
September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and Daily Nurse is proud to name Leslie Griffith, a staff RN who spent more than 40 years helping children with cancer at the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health as the Nurse of the Week. Photo credit: Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
Career Spent Fighting Childhood Cancer
When Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford opened in 1991, she decided to specialize in pediatric oncology. As a result, Griffith had a first-hand view of the advances in fighting childhood cancer, watching new medicines, new care techniques, and better surgeries improve her patients’ outcomes.
Throughout her career, Griffith was an inspiration to countless people with her warm and genuine nature throughout her time at Packard Children’s Hospital.
One of them is now a pre-med student pursuing a dream of becoming a doctor after his experience with acute myeloid leukemia and receiving Griffith’s care.
Griffith’s colleagues recently honored her at a party in the courtyard at Packard Children’s Hospital. She loves nature, so the setting was ideal. Many people from across the hospital came to celebrate her retirement and recognize her 40+ years of service.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life and as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
- From Dream to Reality: Jolene Scatton’s Journey to a Fulfilling Nursing Career - April 17, 2024
- Mount Sinai South Nassau Nurse Eileen Mahler Honored for Illustrious 45-Year Nursing Career - April 10, 2024
- A Day in the Life: Hospice Nurse - April 8, 2024