Research is Close to Nurse’s Heart

Analytical, organizational and patient-care skills all come into play when registered nurse Cyndi Thomas is on the job. As coordinator for transplant research at the Texas Heart Institute, Thomas’ days are frequently unpredictable.

“You never know when we’re going to be doing a heart transplant. It skews any plans,” says Thomas. “On any given day you’re likely to find me attending rounds with transplant patients in St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and working on case report forms. I write research protocols for fun,” she laughs.

Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. She joined St. Luke’s in 1991, coordinating cardiology research on drug studies and catheterization laboratory devices such as stents and pacemakers. In 1996, she joined the Texas Heart Institute staff and began coordinating transplant research. Three years ago, she became certified by the Association for Clinical Research Professionals.

Thomas’ projects involve both basic science and clinical studies. They include new methods of evaluating immunosuppression (a key issue for patients after a transplant to avoid organ rejection), testing new immunosuppressants, and testing new drugs designed to lower pulmonary pressures during surgery or for high-risk patient populations.

“I like knowing how drugs work and observing the changes. That’s the love of research,” says Thomas, who explains that the excitement of her job lies in discovery. “Trying something, proving what you thought all along is true – or not. I’m logical by nature and so is research.”

There’s more than just logic at work in solid research, says registered nurse Marcia Cooper, who works in cardiology research at the Texas Heart Institute and helped Thomas learn the research ropes.

“Cyndi is a very good nurse. She’s enthusiastic because she enjoys what she does. Whatever she initiates, she follows through. She’s a ‘do-er.’ She’s very thorough and her data is very exact. She’s naturally curious and she likes learning new things and being on the cutting edge,” says Cooper.

Staying on the cutting edge of research means staying abreast of new developments – a constant challenge in this environment. Thomas says it’s a daily learning process.

“It’s very exciting being there at the beginning, before a drug or procedure becomes standard nursing or medical therapy practice. The transplant service has an atmosphere of community – a big family – and we all work together well,” says Thomas. “Most of the people in transplant have been there forever and they are some of the most intelligent people I know. I think what keeps them here is that they have to draw on every little bit of knowledge they have.”

When Thomas needs a sounding board, she often turns to registered nurse Melissa Watson, who works for St. Luke’s in outpatient surgery. The two met while working in CV Recovery and have been friends and colleagues for 12 years.

“Cyndi is very conscientious, dynamic and a strong patient advocate. She’s dedicated to improving the patient’s experience, easing the difficulties they are going through,” says Watson.

Indeed, Thomas feels she becomes part of the patient’s family after helping them through what is often a critical event in their lives. Long after the studies are completed, she still enjoys visiting with patients and their families.

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/05_01_03/page_28.html