A United Health Services nurse and administrator who specializes in cancer care has received the Linda Arenth Excellence in Cancer Nursing Management Award from the Oncology Nursing Society.

Kathleen Peranski, R.N., nurse manager of the South Tower 5 Oncology Unit at Wilson Medical Center, will be honored at the society’s annual conference in San Antonio in 2009.

The national award is presented annually to a nursing administrator who is a recognized expert in cancer nursing management, demonstrates a commitment to mentoring other nurses and participates actively in the endeavors of the national organization.

Ms. Peranski has been nurse manager of South Tower 5 for the past 12 years.  She is a chemotherapy and biotherapy educator and an active member of the cancer team and the tumor board at United Health Services Hospitals.

She is in her third term as president of the The New York State Southern Tier Chapter of Oncology Nursing Society.

“Kathy has consistently demonstrated the skills of a high-performing nurse leader,” said Kay Boland, R.N., chief nursing officer at United Health Services Hospitals.  “She is focused on the professional development of her staff at the unit level, while always contributing to nursing through active participation in policy development, practice council and other hospital initiatives.”