Katie Van Der Merwe, an oncology nurse at Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology in Grand Junction, has received designation as a Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse.

“With the closest transplant centers being located in Denver and Salt Lake City, there are very few bone marrow transplant certified nurses in the state. So we are extremely fortunate to have Katie’s level of expertise to assist cancer patients on the Western Slope,” said Joe Gerardi, chief operating and nursing officer at Community Hospital.

Van Der Merwe coordinates the care of transplant patients and assists with a monthly bone transplant clinic.

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corp. administers certification programs. To earn the blood and marrow transplant certification, nurses must have a minimum of 24 months of experience and at least 2,000 hours of bone marrow transplant nursing practice within the four years prior to application as well as complete 10 hours of continuing education. They also must pass an examination.

For more information about Grand Valley Oncology, visit https://grandvalleyoncology.com.