Cooper University Health Care Advanced Practice Nurse Evelyn Robles-Rodriguez, DNP, APN, AOCN, has been named Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year by National APP Week, an organization that honors advanced practice providers for their contributions to health care teams across the nation. Evelyn was selected from among dozens of nominees across the nation. The award was announced during National APP Week, celebrated the fourth week of every September.
Evelyn is an oncology advanced practice nurse (APN) and Director of Outreach, Prevention and Survivorship at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. She has lead Cooper’s life-saving outreach, prevention, and survivorship programs for more than 20 years as part of the cancer center team.
APPs include physician assistants/associates, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified anesthesiologist assistants. APPs are prepared through advanced education and clinical training to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. APPs are an integral part of the health care team at Cooper and more than 500 APPs practice in numerous specialties across the health system.
“We are incredibly proud of Evelyn and the work she does,” said Kathy Devine, DrNP, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at Cooper. “A nurse to thousands of cancer patients, her passion is to assure that every patient is receiving the best possible care. She is a role model in nursing and her work has been groundbreaking.”
In the late 1990s, recognizing Camden’s large, underserved population, Evelyn collaborated with the NJ Department of Health to create the Cancer Education and Early Detection Program at Cooper (CEED). The program provides underinsured and uninsured women and men with free screenings and culturally and linguistically appropriate education. More than 1,300 individuals are screened for breast and prostate cancer annually. In 2006, CEED was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its innovative and successful cancer outreach programs.
Her work within the cancer community includes a special support group, “Sister Will You Help Me.” As co-facilitator of this faith-based group of cancer survivors, she brings support and strength to women of color.
In addition to these programs and other outreach programs, Evelyn also oversees the MD Anderson at Cooper’s Cancer Survivorship Program, which helps patients who have completed their cancer treatment transition into wellness-focused care. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Evelyn also volunteered at numerous COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites throughout Camden and South Jersey and provided education to churches and community groups in the Hispanic community.
“We congratulate Evelyn on this national recognition. She is a key member of the team at MD Anderson at Cooper. Thanks to her efforts, she has made a difference in the lives of thousands of patients and their families. This recognition is well deserved,” said Generosa Grana, MD, FACP, Director of MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper.
To hear Evelyn discuss her role at Cooper, click here.
