Newswise — Chicago (Oct. 12, 2015): The Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) elected Kathleen Ruccione, PhD MPH RN FAAN CPON®, to serve as President for the 2015-2017 term. Ruccione took office at the recent 39th Annual APHON Conference and Exhibit, held September 17-19 in Providence, RI. Kathy has been an active member of APHON for more than 30 years; she founded the Southern California chapter, served on multiple committees and helped write some of APHON’s educational publications.

Ruccione currently is an associate professor in the division of doctoral programs in the at Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing in Azusa, CA and adjunct clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California/Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She has been very active within the association, serving on the Local Chapter Committee, Research Committee and Nominating Committee. She has presented as a Keynote Speaker at three APHON annual conferences. In addition, she has been a contributing author for the Nursing Care of the Child with Cancer.

Kathy earned her Doctorate in Health Behavior Research from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA and both her Master’s in Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Health Science from California State University, Northridge, CA.

Ruccione was recently awarded the Nurse.com national GEM award in the Advancing and Leading the Profession category. This award was given at the 2015 APHON Annual Conference and Exhibit in Providence, RI.

Ruccione stated in her President’s address, “I am professionally passionate about two things: providing expert care to children and adolescents/young adults with cancer or serious blood diseases, and meeting the educational and connectedness needs of nurses at all levels of experience and expertise so they can provide that expert care. For me, this is the essence of APHON and I believe that as your President, I can contribute to nurturing that essence by promoting APHON’s culture of excellence and its ongoing growth and development as the premier organization for pediatric hematology/oncology nurses.”

APHON is the professional organization for pediatric hematology/oncology nurses and other pediatric hematology/oncology healthcare professionals. Its members are dedicated to promoting optimal nursing care for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood disorders, and their families. APHON provides the leadership and expertise to pediatric hematology/oncology nurses by defining and promoting the highest standards of practice and care to the pediatric, adolescent and young adult communities.