Bussell is new MMH chemotherapy nurse

Marissa Bussell, a registered nurse and clinical nurse manager at Melissa Memorial Hospital, will be assuming the chemotherapy and infusion duties of Cindy Lock when she retires May 25.

Specialty Clinic Director Mary Kay Knode said chemotherapy nurses are hard to come by, “so to have one in our own backyard is awesome.”

Bussell has worked at MMH in various capacities for the last six years after graduating from the University of Northern Colorado in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

She said some of her first experiences in the chemotherapy field were at a rotation with a pediatric oncology unit. She’s also passionate about it after watching family and friends go through cancer treatments.

Bussell’s background in case management is a great asset for this position, and she’s already familiar with many aspects of the job because of her work at MMH. “Her experience brings a lot to the table,” said Knode.

She will be completing online and hands-on training and will be nationally certified by the time Lock retires in May. Part of her responsibilities will include scheduling treatments and coordinating with a large number of providers.

Bussell will be working with Megan Hensley in the Londa Wernet Bradford Cancer Center, which was added to MMH two years ago.

“There’s a definite need for it in the community,” said Knode.

Although Bussell grew up on the Front Range and now lives in Imperial, Nebraska, she already knows many of the patients in the cancer center, which will help her provide more personal care that is a continuation of the care the patients have already received at MMH.

She and husband Justin have two young children, Austin and Vivian.