Jackie Davenport, a senior nursing student from the University of Rhode Island (URI), has been awarded a pediatric oncology fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital through The Susan D. Flynn Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program. Davenport was the only student from Rhode Island to be named a Flynn Fellow due to her strong commitment to caring for pediatric oncology patients.

Maureen Hillier, an assistant clinical professor of nursing at URI, tells Today.URI.edu, “It’s an honor for a URI student to be selected. Within the clinical group, Jackie stood out as one of the leaders and has been an exceptional student.”

The Flynn Fellowship is a highly selective 8-week program preceded by two online courses. Davenport was selected for her excellence as a student, strong communication skills, and commitment to pediatric oncology which is rooted in personal experience.

When she was only 11 years old, Davenport’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Remembering accompanying her mom to her radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Davenport says, “[My mother’s] medical team was phenomenal and would explain everything to me.” Davenport’s mother recovered, but she later lost her grandfather and an aunt to cancer which led her to follow her passion for helping people in that situation and to pursue a career in oncology.

In addition to the practical learning experience Flynn Fellows receive, they must also complete an evidence-based research project to present to oncology nurses and leadership at the close of the program. After experiencing how terrifying it is to not know what’s going to happen to your family, Davenport is considering a research project focused on sharing knowledge with siblings, relatives, and young cancer patients.

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Following the news of her Flynn Fellowship, Davenport also received the Francine Brem Excellence Award in Pediatric Research and Practice from Sigma Theta Tau International. To learn more about Davenport and her prestigious recognition as a nursing student pursuing pediatric oncology, visit here.

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