Hope Cancer Center is a small
practice that began in 2000. Dr.
Usha Venkatraj first met Iris Villareal
at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where they
both worked. Dr. Venkatraj needed a
nurse who could give chemotherapy
and help with the business aspect of
the Hope Cancer Center.
“When Dr. Venkatraj offered me the position, I knew it was a great opportunity,” Villareal said. “We think alike in many ways, the both of us look at our jobs as a vocation. We’re both very close to our patients.”
The Eagle readers selected Iris
Villareal as the “Best Nurse” in the
Brazos Valley. She was overwhelmed
to have been selected. “I am just so
surprised because we are a smaller
practice, but I guess the closeness
and the intimacy that we have with
our patients is what they value. We
laugh with them and we cry with
them,” she said.
Dr. Venkatraj spends most of her time determining the best course of action for her patients in terms of their individual disease process. She wants them to be cured or have a better quality of life.
“As a nurse, while I’m giving chemotherapy, the patients share stories about their lives. We talk about their families and spiritual issues. It is such a joy,” she said. “When a new patient comes in, they hear laughter and are legitimately surprised.”
In addition to chemotherapy, she provides a support group for her patients. “In the support group meetings, we again discuss spiritual and emotional issues confronting them. We are really here to serve our patients rather than just punching a clock,” she said. “A dear lady came in a few days ago. She lost her husband to cancer three years ago. She just wanted to stop by and give me a hug. These patients give more to me than I give to them.”
Iris Villareal believes in interfaith
dialogue. Every one irrespective of
race or religion, deserves the best
treatment and counseling available.“It’s important that every one
coming through our doors be cared
for and treated with dignity. I have
learned through experience that we
are all God’s children,” she said.“We have a lot of respect for our
patients.”
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