Empathy and Excellence: An Impactful Journey in Oncology Care
Peter Velez, a Clinical Fellow with New York Cancer & Blood Specialist (NYCBS) and a recipient of the Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) Foundation Student Scholarship, was honored at a golf fundraiser hosted by the Westhampton Country Club for his remarkable journey and contributions to oncology care.
Peter's path to the NYCBS Clinical Fellowship program was shaped by his experience as a combat medic for the United States Army, where the ethos of "service above self" resonated deeply with him. This calling led him to pursue a career where he could translate his passion for service into a meaningful impact in healthcare.
At the SCCC Foundation Golf Outing, Peter shared how the fellowship at NYCBS exceeded his expectations, transforming his perspective on patient care. He mentions, “The professionalism, care, and knowledgeability of the dedicated staff at NYCBS is what stood out to me by far.” Beyond the clinical setting, he discovered that genuine patient care entails more than medical expertise; it encompasses empathy, understanding, and a willingness to connect on a personal level.
Peter's experience at NYCBS emphasized the importance of the patient-caregiver relationship. He learned firsthand that every patient is unique, with individual hopes, fears, values, and dreams. Peter emphasizes the importance of holistic care in his practice: “In caring for my patients, I make it a priority to connect with them personally. I strive to understand their treatment goals and what truly matters to them. By seeing them as more than just a collection of symptoms or lab results, my aim is to treat the whole person.” This realization deepened his commitment to providing care that addresses both the medical and emotional needs of patients.
Reflecting on the balance between the emotional and medical needs of patients, Peter remarked, “The healthcare system is often good at treating physical infirmities, but emotional challenges can go overlooked. When caring for my patients, I take time to know them personally, understand their treatment goals, and what matters most to them. I aim to treat the whole person, not just symptoms or lab values. I educate patients on their condition, involve them in care decisions, listen, comfort, and support them emotionally. This means being present and caring for both the body and the mind.”
Peter expressed profound gratitude to the professionals at NYCBS who guided him and to the visionary support of the SCCC Foundation. He reflected, “It gave me a blueprint to follow in my own nursing practice, to give my patients the highest level of care possible.” He acknowledged that the resilience and courage of the patients he cared for inspired him and strengthened his drive to make a difference in oncology care.
Peter emphasized that programs like the NYCBS Clinical Fellowship Program offer invaluable opportunities for students to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to healthcare. He thanks NYCBS for their commitment to nurturing future healthcare leaders and to the SCCC Foundation for making such transformative experiences possible.