PHILADELPHIA (March 18, 2024) — Judy Loc, BSN, RN, could not make it to work on January 11, 2024, the day her son, Tyler Loc, BSN, RN, received his DAISY Award at Fox Chase Cancer Center. She was home recovering from COVID-19, but she knew full well the mix of pride and appreciation of recognition that comes from receiving a DAISY Award, having won the award herself the previous January.
In 2023, Judy was nominated for a DAISY for the nursing leadership she provides in Fox Chase’s Outpatient Theranostics Program as well as the level of attention she freely gives to patients. Tyler Loc joined Fox Chase in February of 2022 and works in the West Triage Area of Ambulatory Care, his mother’s former unit.
In addition to sharing a bloodline, a strong work ethic, and an employer, the key Loc family trait seems to be compassion (Tyler’s sister just graduated with a nursing degree from Holy Family University, but does not work for Fox Chase Cancer Center. Yet.).
“Judy was a hard act for Tyler to follow; she’s a natural leader among colleagues and just an amazingly thoughtful, skilled nursing professional,” said Sarah Porzig, MSN, RN, OCN, Clinical Manager in Ambulatory Care. “Tyler came to this unit a little unsure of himself, but quickly distinguished himself with patients and colleagues alike for his sincere kindness.”
Growing into the Part
Even Tyler admits that it was a difficult transition as a young nurse to follow a parent – particularly one with Judy’s reputation – into the workplace. He began his academic career at Temple University in biomedical engineering (According to Judy, Tyler’s brother is a mechanical engineering student). However, he became drawn to the medical field; first as an EMT before enrolling in nursing school at Thomas Jefferson University. He is the first to acknowledge that he has retained something of an engineering mindset – he is fascinated by the technical aspects of medical care and the human body – but that watching patients progress is really the rewarding part.
“In triage, I see patients come in without an appointment because something is bothering them, and it is easy to see how overwhelming this entire experience is for them,” said Tyler. “It can be like a second home to some of our patients, so I really look to make sure they are as comfortable as possible.”
According to Porzig, Loc was initially concerned during orientation that maybe nursing wasn’t the right fit for him, and he was hesitant about working one-on-one with physicians. Once he began in triage, however, he really began to find a place for himself in the service to others, Porzig said.
“We can see so much in Tyler, and he has really grown to a place where he can see that in himself,” Porzig explained. “When I read the DAISY nomination, that is what really came across – his caring nature and his reputation for patient advocacy.”
Within the last year, Loc had received numerous notes of recognition from patients and families, including more than one DAISY nomination. Here is what one such note said:
My husband was in for hydration, feeling very run down. Tyler noticed, asking all the correct questions. He was so understanding and professional. He was able to calm my husband and walked us to EDR. He made sure he was attended to, and did all of this without hesitation. He was the complete definition of the word “NURSE.” He was thoughtful, caring, patient, and kind all while doing his job. He was an angel! We feel blessed to have met him. Throughout our journey, we have met many kind people here. Having also met his mother Judy! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Thank you for such great care by great people.
It is not hard to get a mother to say nice things about her son, and Judy Loc is no exception.
“While it is a little strange seeing your son at work, it is really nice too,” said Judy. “Tyler was always an empathetic child, always sensitive to how other people feel, and I am proud to see how he brings that sensitivity to nursing.”
Part Mom, Part Nurse, All-Around Superstar
Judy Loc has become a legendary figure to patients and co-workers alike. In 2022, she was recruited from Ambulatory Care to Infusion Services, where she helped stand up the theranostics program, which uses radiological tracers to diagnose and treat cancers. At Infusion Services, Loc proved herself instrumental in nurse training and as a valuable partner to the physician staff. As patient volumes grow, many point to Loc as a key to the program’s success.
“I will say it is just funny, because Judy is this person that we have known to be something of a mother figure in the workplace, and then her son comes to the department next door,” said Jennie Gilliland, MSN, RN, OCN, Clinical Director of Infusion Services and Judy Loc’s manager. “She provides mentorship to Tyler and isn’t overly motherly with him at work, so you can see how she really respects his growth and independence.”
Judy Loc’s DAISY nomination came from Jian Q. (Michael) Yu, MD, FACNM, FRCPC, Chief of Nuclear Medicine and PET, and, in part, said:
I’m overseeing the PRRT (Peptide Receptor Radiotracer Therapy) in FCCC for neuroendocrine patients. Dr. Vijayvergia is the main referring physician, and Judy is the main nurse for the PRRT Program. This is a very specialized treatment, and Judy took it in stride.
She does a great job providing excellent care for our patients and family members. She is one of the major factors that makes our program a success (there are only two in the city, Penn and us).
Judy deserves this award, we’re so happy to have her here!
About the DAISY
The DAISY Foundation was created in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura – the DAISY acronym stands for “Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.” The nursing care he received profoundly touched his family, and so the foundation now works with nursing leaders around the world to find ways of recognizing extraordinary, compassionate nursing care. In addition to bestowing the award, the DAISY Foundation funds nursing research, particularly in the fields of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Award winners receive a certificate; a DAISY pin for their ID badge; and “A Healer’s Touch,” a one-of-a-kind, serpentine stone sculpture handmade by craftspeople in Zimbabwe. Traditionally, they also receive cinnamon buns, which were a personal favorite of Barnes.