Department of Pathology

School of Medicine
12401East17thAvenue
MailStopAO22
AIPRoom3.000
Aurora,CO80045

August 7, 2015
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in support of Reynold D. Dilag, RN, BSN who works in the BMT Apheresis Unit of
the University of Colorado Cancer Center. As the Medical Director of the BMT Apheresis
Service, I have worked closely with Rey since he began in the Apheresis Unit in July of 2013.
Responsibilities in the BMT Apheresis unit include performing apheresis procedures
(hematopoietic stem cell collections, leukoreductions, extracorporeal photopheresis, and LDL
apheresis) as well as therapeutic phlebotomies. The nurses are also cross-trained to help with
the apheresis red cell exchanges for patients with sickle cell disease. Because of the variety of
procedures performed, the nurses must learn to deal with patients who might have a multitude
of clinical conditions. Patients who use LDL apheresis have hypercholesterolemia and are
prone to heart disease. It is not uncommon for them to have adverse reactions to their
procedures, including hemodynamic instability. Patients with graft-versus-host disease or
cutaneous T-cell lymphoma might have indwelling central lines for prolonged time periods,
which create their own set of complications. Patients who do not have central lines placed
require phlebotomy with large catheters or needles in order for their procedures to be
performed.
Often, patients who come in for autologous stem cell collection are very anxious about the
procedure. They do not feel well, are not sure what to expect, and know that their ability to get
a stem cell transplant, which might be their only chance for long-term survival, depends on a
successful collection. Rey and the other apheresis nurses handle all of these situations with
professionalism and compassion. Many patients have commented on how well Rey takes care
of them. His quiet, confident demeanor puts them at ease. His phlebotomy skills are excellent,
which can greatly affect a patients experience. He is attentive to their needs and provides them
with everything they might needfrom a warm blanket to lunch to a bedside commode for a
bathroom break. Patients who have commented to me about him have used such words as
excellent, a gem, fabulous, and simply the best care imaginable.
A few other things worth mentioning about Rey are his great work ethic and his contributions to
the team. Rey is always willing to stay late when an emergent procedure needs to be done.
Sometimes, in spite of coming in at 7 or 8 AM, he ends up staying as late as midnight for these
procedures.
In addition to great patient care, Rey has helped with several projects in the Apheresis Unit. He
collected data to help us optimize the starting infusion dose of calcium gluconate for apheresis
procedures that use citrate as an anticoagulant. Another project involved monitoring collection
efficiency during stem cell collections to evaluate our new Spectra Optia apheresis instruments.
He also was instrumental in writing the common operating procedure for the new Spectra Optias

as well as the specific collection procedures for hematopoietic stem cell collections and donor
lymphocyte collections using the Spectra Optia.
In summary, Renold Dilag embodies everything that a great nurse should be; working with him
has been a pleasure. I am happy to recommend him for credentialing to a Level 3 RN. If you
have any additional questions, I can be reached at the numbers listed below.
Sincerely,

Mary Berg, M.D.

Associate Professor of Pathology
Program Director, Transfusion Medicine Fellowship & Associate Program Director, Anatomic
and Clinical Pathology Residency, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Medical Director of Transfusion Services, Medical Director of BMT Apheresis Services, Medical
Director of Autotransfusion Services, University of Colorado Hospital
Office: (720) 848-4402
Email: Mary.Berg@UCDenver.edu
Fax: (720) 848-4407