SUNA Spotlight: Barb Leemon

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What Barb Leemon, RN, accomplishes within the confines of Beaumont Hospital doesn’t hold a candle to what she has been through and defeated outside of the office.

Yes, the “C” word comes into play here.

“I'm working with the best friends and most supportive co-workers anyone could wish for,” explains Barb. “I've recently become a cancer survivor with the help of all of them. They attended doctor visits with me, provided meals for my husband and myself, made me a special quilt to comfort me during treatments and celebrated each of my successful events along the way.”

Barb works in the Urology Research Department as a Research Nurse Clinician and is one of several certified research coordinators in the department.

A graduate of Oakland Community College in 1977, most of Barb’s working career has been at Beaumont. She’s been a staff nurse in pediatrics, NICU and Emergency. Barb was also a case manager in discharge planning and utilization review prior to coming to Urology Research eight years ago.

She also values her membership in the Great Lakes chapter of SUNA.

“I joined SUNA because it affords me the access to areas of knowledge within urology from those who see what I will never necessarily see,” says Barb. “I enjoy the availability of lectures and information from clinicians, physicians and vendors.”

Barb lives in Royal Oak, Mich., with her husband, David, and “our very chubby cat named ‘Kitty.’” Their two oldest daughters live out of state with their husbands and children and their youngest son lives nearby.

Beating cancer has also given Barb something else to boast about and experience.

“We have three grandchildren,” smiles Barb. “And one more on the way!”