ATLANTA - The Aflac Cancer Center of Children's has announced that Patricia "Trish" Barry McElfresh, PNP-BC, and Erika Olsen, R.N., have been recently presented with the Laura Snitzer-Boozer Nursing Award. The award honors nurses who have demonstrated professional excellence and leadership in pediatric cancer care and provides financial support for continued education in the field of oncology.

"I am utterly humbled by this recognition. I had the honor of working with Laura and witnessed her compassion, dedication and humanity. She was deeply devoted to her patients, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and her family," says Patricia "Trish" Barry McElfresh, PNP-BC. "I have the unique opportunity to enter a patients' life and provide care, when many support persons leave at the diagnosis of a brain or spine tumor."

The award is given in memory of Laura Snitzer Boozer, an Aflac Cancer Center nurse who died unexpectedly in 1999. After Snitzer-Boozer's death, many individuals including close friends of the family, donated funds to create the Laura Snitzer-Boozer Nursing Fund for Continued Education. McElfresh and Olsen will receive a scholarship to attend a nursing conference of their choice in honor of Laura Snitzer-Boozer's strong commitment to nursing education.
"I am very honored and humbled to have won the Laura Snitzer-Boozer award. Hearing what an inspiration Laura was to the patients and their families is very uplifting," says Erika Olsen, R.N. "I consider it a blessing to do what I love."

In addition, this year's award will honor Ellen Olson, R.N., M.S., C.P.N.P., for her upcoming national and international presentations in San Paulo, Brazil and Florida. Katie Morrison, R.N., and Stephanie Wilson, R.N., will also be honored as they continue their enrollment in PNP programs.

About the Award Winners:
Patricia (Trish) Barry McElfresh, P.N.P.-BC
As a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, McElfresh has worked at the Aflac Cancer Center since 2002, caring specifically for neuro-oncology patients with tumors of the brain and spine. She is involved with the patients through the entire process from diagnosis, through the treatment phase and on to survivorship. McElfresh is the first pediatric nurse practitioner to receive this award. McElfresh received her graduate nursing degree from Emory University in 1992, and undergraduate degree in nursing at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. McElfresh currently resides in Decatur, Ga. with her husband, Bruce and their son and daughter.

Erika Olsen, R.N.
As a registered nurse, Olsen has dedicated more than 8 years to providing care at the Aflac Cancer Center. From diagnosis to survivorship, Olsen provides care to patients and their families during this difficult time in their lives. Prior to joining the Aflac Cancer Center, Olsen received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and achieved status of Registered Nurse at Purdue University. Olsen currently resides in Sandy Springs.

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