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Misha Hawkins holds the distinction of being the first cell-therapy coordinator in MD Anderson¡¯²õ Lymphoma and Myeloma department, where she works with patients who are enrolled in clinical trials that focus on a form of immunotherapy known as CAR T-cell therapy.

This promising new cancer treatment takes immune cells ¨C the cells that fight invaders like viruses, bacteria and cancer ¨C from a patient¡¯²õ bloodstream, then reprograms them to recognize and attack a specific protein found in cancer cells. The souped-up immune cells are then reinfused into the patient¡¯²õ bloodstream where they attack and destroy tumor cells. The Food and Drug Administration approved the treatment in October 2017.¡°I take care of patients from referral to 30 days after infusion,¡± Hawkins says.

Starting from the beginning

¡°As my department¡¯²õ first cell-therapy coordinator, I was tasked with getting the program up and running,¡± Hawkins says.

This involved administrative duties such as creating the cost estimate for treatment, working with the hospital¡¯²õ legal department on patient consent forms, and consulting with the pharmacy to ensure the proper drugs were on hand.

Hawkins also created an educational guide for patients and established a communications network that encompassed all the interdisciplinary teams that provide services to MD Anderson¡¯s CAR T-cell patients.

¡°Because I was the first person in this role, I established the structure and the day-to-day workflow for delivering this therapy when it was introduced at MD Anderson,¡± Hawkins says. ¡°It¡¯²õ continuing to evolve.¡±

Hawkins first came to MD Anderson after graduating with a bachelor¡¯²õ degree in nursing from Â鶹ӳ»­ Medical Branch at Galveston. She worked as a charge nurse on the lymphoma floor, and today works with many of the same doctors she worked with then.

A fulfilling new career

She¡¯²õ a ¡°second-career¡± nurse. Her first job was with a law firm where she worked as a project coordinator and honed the organizational skills needed in her current position. Earning a master¡¯²õ degree in nursing administration from Â鶹ӳ»­ at Arlington helped further sharpen her skills.

¡°My role at MD Anderson takes a lot of balance and coordination,¡± Hawkins says.

MD Anderson¡¯²õ first CAR T-cell patient received an infusion from , professor of Lymphoma and Myeloma, and continues to do well.

Hawkins stays in touch with the patient and his family.

¡°Family support is so important when you¡¯re dealing with cancer,¡± she says. ¡°It can make the road to recovery a little less bumpy.¡±

Hawkins is the mother of 2- and 6-year-old boys, and credits her late mother for instilling in her the drive and passion that led to her success.

¡°She was very driven and very strong. I do have a lot of her ambition and passion. My mom died right when I found out I was pregnant with my first son. I see so much of her in him. My husband and I joke that he¡¯²õ been here before.¡±