Jill Winther, BSN, RN, OCN, NPD-BC, Wins 2026 Extraordinary Healer® Award

The 2026 Extraordinary Healer® Award finalists were recognized for their dedication to advancing oncology nursing care, patient advocacy, and supportive services.

CURE Media Group and Oncology Nursing News announced Jill Winther, BSN, RN, OCN, NPD-BC; Tammy Zinn, MSN, RN, OCN, CBCN; and Susan I. Yaguda, MSN, RN, as finalists for the 2026 Extraordinary Healer® award, which honors nurses in the cancer community who dedicate their lives to making a difference in the lives of patients with cancer and their loved ones.

Essays were submitted by colleagues, patients, friends, and family members identifying Winther, Zinn, Yaguda, and 80 other Extraordinary Healer® nominees.

The Extraordinary Healer® award event, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech, was held during an in-person celebration in conjunction with the annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress in San Antonio.

Kristie L. Kahl, vice president of oncology content at MJH Life Sciences, the parent company of Oncology Nursing News and CURE Media Group, reflected on the impact oncology nurses continue to have on patients with cancer and the healthcare community.

“Each and every one of you in this room makes an exceptional difference in the lives of those facing cancer,” Kahl said during the event. “Please know that your work is seen, your dedication is valued and your impact is immeasurable.”

Meet the keynote speaker

The event also featured keynote speaker Teddi Mellencamp, an advocate for melanoma awareness and education, podcast host, and television personality who has openly shared her experience with melanoma, including metastasis to her brain and lungs.

Mellencamp first gained national recognition on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and has since expanded her platform as co-host of the “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast alongside Tamra Judge. She also continues to lead her health and wellness company, ALL IN by Teddi, which has supported more than 30,000 people in making meaningful lifestyle changes.

During a fireside chat, Mellencamp discussed the challenges of navigating cancer treatment and highlighted the important role oncology nurses have played throughout her experience.

“Nurses were huge because I didn’t even know I was having surgery,” Mellencamp said. “I was confused, and then all of a sudden I’m in the hospital and everything is happening so fast.”

She described how nurses helped translate complex medical situations, provided reassurance and became a steady source of support during a disorienting time.

“Every day you’re with your nurses all the time. You see your doctors one time probably a day,” she said. “It was definitely the nurses talking me through it. No one was judging you.”

Mellencamp also highlighted how small, compassionate actions from nurses made a lasting impact during her hospitalization.

“There was something that she did for me that gave me so much confidence and made me feel so good, even if it was something small,” she said. “Just the small little bits of kindness, like putting a little essential oil on my neck.”

Supporting patients through every step of care

Zinn serves as the Director of Clinical Support Services and the Cancer Support Community at Lee Health Cancer Institute in Fort Myers, Florida. With more than 28 years of oncology nursing experience, she leads a multidisciplinary team focused on helping patients with cancer and their families navigate screening, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care services.

She earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Health Care Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Throughout her career, Zinn has prioritized patient empowerment, education and advocacy, while emphasizing the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of cancer care.

Recently, Zinn helped launch the Cancer Support Community program at Lee Health Cancer Institute, which provides free emotional support services, wellness programming, support groups, educational resources, and survivorship initiatives for patients with cancer, survivors, caregivers, and families.

Her leadership also helped establish Emma’s Wish, a partnership program designed to grant meaningful experiences and support for patients with breast cancer and their loved ones. Since its launch, the initiative has helped provide transportation, family experiences and other forms of support for patients navigating cancer treatment.

Expanding integrative oncology and survivorship care

Yaguda is the Nurse Manager for Atrium Health Levine Cancer’s Department of Supportive Oncology. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Music in Performing Arts from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, along with Bachelor and Master of Nursing degrees from SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, New York.

Her nursing career has included work in neuro rehabilitation, critical care, community health, and oncology. Since joining Levine Cancer Institute in 2013, Yaguda has developed an integrative oncology program focused on evidence-based supportive care interventions for patients, caregivers, and healthcare staff.

She also designed initiatives including Shared Medical Appointments, Kazoo Blues for patients with lung cancer, and a Supportive Oncology Nurse Champion project aimed at increasing awareness of supportive oncology care.

In addition to patient-focused initiatives, Yaguda has prioritized staff wellness through programs centered on mindfulness, music therapy, art therapy, and resilience for oncology healthcare professionals.

Patients and colleagues alike have recognized Yaguda for her calming presence, mentorship and commitment to person-centered oncology care.

James Rivellino, director of sales for CURE, Oncology Nursing News and Targeted Oncology, acknowledged the dedication oncology nurses bring to patients and families each day.

“You are the heart of cancer care,” Rivellino said during the ceremony. “Every day, you provide not only expert medical care, but also comfort, hope, and strength during some of life’s most difficult moments.”

Advancing oncology nursing leadership and education

Winther, this year’s winner of the Extraordinary Healer® award, has more than 35 years of experience in oncology nursing care, leadership, and professional development. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduating cum laude from Bellin College of Nursing in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

She began her oncology career caring for inpatient oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplant patients at Stanford and Mayo Clinic before working in outpatient oncology practices in Florida, Washington, Maryland, and Wisconsin.

Throughout her career, Winther has advocated for holistic, patient-centered care while supporting oncology nursing education and accreditation initiatives. She has led quality improvement efforts and implemented Oncology Nursing Society and American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines at new oncology practices.

Winther has also championed oncology nursing education and professional development initiatives, including efforts to standardize chemotherapy and immunotherapy certification requirements and establish oral oncolytic nurse programs focused on symptom management and patient support.

She is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the Association for Nursing Professional Development, and the Oncology Nursing Society. She has served as President and Programs Coordinator of the Northeastern Wisconsin Oncology Nursing Society and currently serves as Nurse Planner for the organization’s annual conference.

Patty Fredenburgh, oncology clinical educator at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, emphasized the impact oncology nurses continue to have across the cancer care continuum.

“Oncology nursing is not simply a specialty; it is a commitment to walking alongside patients and families through some of the most challenging moments of their lives,” Fredenburgh said during the event. “The role of the oncology nurse is defined by impact.”