For Margaret (Greeley) Julio, nursing was a career she was familiar with long before she decided to pursue it herself. Her mother and aunt were nurses, too. That, combined with her interest in science, made it a natural path for her. 

Today, the Foxborough resident works in infusion at the Jimmy Fund Clinic at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In her role, she administers chemo, blood transfusions and other therapies while monitoring patients for side effects. She also teaches patients and their families what to expect after the therapies and possible side effects they could experience when they get home.

Patients range from babies to young adults, and due to the nature of the treatments, the patients come in on a regular schedule. This gives Julio and the other nurses the ability to form real relationships with them. 

With 32 years of experience in her current role, Julio often establishes a rapport with her patients. With one young gentleman in particular, who sadly passed away in November, Julio recalls she could take one look at him and know what he needed. “You learn to anticipate needs,” she says, and that comes from instinct, experience, and getting to know patients on a personal level. 

These genuine human connections make an impact. Julio tells a story of one patient whose family came back nearly 20 years later and told her that their daughter, who she treated, named her doll after Margaret. There are seemingly countless stories where patients or their families come back to thank her, and it keeps her motivated.

“The patients, especially here at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, are very inspiring,” Julio says. “I really enjoy the variety of different ages, disease groups… I just enjoy meeting people and helping them through chemo and treatment.” 

Her nominator, Marnie Eaton, is the mother of a 4 year old who was diagnosed with cancer and spent seven months getting chemotherapy. “When Frankie was having a tough day or not wanting to talk, she would bring a smile to his face. In those seven months, she was the person I talked to the most, as Frankie’s chemo medicine slowly dripped through his port each day. She always made Frankie feel comfortable, and the friendship and support she provided for me was immeasurable,” Eaton writes. 

In a field as emotionally challenging as oncology, “You make the situation as good as it can be,” Julio says. “I’m here to give them their treatment safely and get them through the bad times and support them.” And as for the way she copes with her job, she leans on her colleagues as well as her friends and family who understand her work. 

At the end of the day, Julio feels passionately that: “Helping patients through difficult times with compassion and expertise is time well spent.”

Margaret’s Nominator Letter

The second I heard Margaret ask, “How is our little Frankie doing today?” my heart rate would decrease immediately to a steady pace. When my four-year-old was diagnosed with cancer and spent seven months receiving chemotherapy at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, our nurse Margaret became like family.

Her calm, humorous demeanor brought solace to us in our most trying time. Quickly realizing Frankie was not a fan of the arts and crafts frequently provided by the Jimmy Fund, Margaret would talk to him about Boston sports teams, his favorite topic. When Frankie was having a tough day or not wanting to talk, her little tickles would bring a smile to his face. In those seven months, she was the person I talked to the most, as Frankie’s chemo medicine slowly dripped through his port each day. She always made Frankie feel comfortable, and the friendship and support she provided for me was immeasurable.

Margaret’s kindness is something I will hold with me for the rest of my life. When asked in a work training what my favorite sound in the world was, I instantly replied, “The voice of Frankie’s oncology nurse.”

Nominated by Marnie Eaton