Kathleen Haden, ANP, is an authorized grownup nurse practitioner (ANP) at UVA Most cancers Heart. Earlier than coming to Charlottesville, she labored with sufferers on the Nationwide Most cancers Institute on the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Most cancers Heart in New York, NY.
Haden can also be concerned in scientific analysis and helps sufferers perceive their pancreatic most cancers threat on the Excessive Danger Pancreatic Most cancers Screening Clinic.
Meet a Charlottesville-Primarily based Most cancers Nurse Practitioner
We requested Haden our 7 fast questions.
1. What has most impressed and formed your strategy to affected person care?
The medical developments in oncology and the place we have come, and watching it treatment many cancers that I assumed would by no means be curable.
After I did this in 1985, it was throughout the HIV pandemic, which was horrible to witness. The sufferers have been all on the oncology flooring. At NIH, we have been the one place that had all the brand new medication. Individuals got here from everywhere in the world to get these medication that weren’t FDA-approved. And to see the event of oncology, chemotherapy brokers, biologics, and now immunotherapy that cures metastatic illness is simply mind-boggling.
You realize, we have grow to be so exact by way of treating tumors. You’re taking the tumor and check it and work out the lock and key, which medication will work for it. It is fairly wonderful. So the essential science, the molecular science, after which matching that tumor with medication — it has been fairly mind-boggling to expertise.
2. What’s your favourite a part of your job?
The individuals. Working with sufferers and growing collaborative relationships with my friends.
3. What’s your greatest worry once you’re a affected person?
I would like somebody that is very educated and understands my specific illness or case and has researched it, has learn the literature, and could be very well-informed.
4. What do you do for stress reduction?
I discovered yoga due to caring for sufferers with most cancers. Coping with the stress of loss of life and dying and the opposite repercussions of the sickness led me to yoga and meditation. And I am additionally a giant hiker and former runner.
Dealing with Most cancers?
Discover knowledgeable, compassionate most cancers care at UVA Well being.
5. Canine or cats?
Canine.
6. What is the final film you noticed? Thumbs up or down?
I by no means watch motion pictures anymore. I feel it was Bridgerton, the film. Most likely thumbs down.
7. What’s the most effective recommendation you have ever heard?
“True leaders open the door for others.” I at all times take into consideration that after I work in groups.