Saint Luke's

A patient care navigator serves as a patient's primary resource and advocate throughout the entire cancer treatment journey. They are the first person you hear from after being diagnosed and help coordinate all the appointments, imaging, and information you need for your care. Donna, a patient care navigator at Saint Luke's Cancer Institute with more than 20 years of experience, says they're like a patient's cheerleader. Watch her full interview on Health News You Can Use.

Congratulations to Spencer from Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, our newest Sunshine Award Honoree! Spencer was recognized for making occupational therapy fun with his uplifting and positive work ethic. "Spencer has been a tremendous help with my road to recovery," his nominator wrote. "He is always upbeat and energetic while working with me. He has pushed me during therapy, but has a knack for knowing exactly when it is time to move on or stop. He has been a great person to work with." Thank you, Spencer, for the light you bring to your patients and team every day. Your kindness truly shines! #TeamSaintLukes 💙

Emily, a breast oncology nurse with Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, has dedicated her career to supporting patients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. After graduating from nursing school in 2020, Emily cared for patients as a nurse in the Medical/Surgical unit, but soon realized her true calling was in oncology, where she could walk alongside and advocate for patients throughout their entire cancer journey. “I am inspired every day by the strength and bravery of my patients,” Emily said. “My goal as a breast oncology nurse is to ease the overwhelming burden of cancer by being a trusted resource and advocate for my patients and their families.” One of Emily’s best memories has been volunteering at the Journey of Courage and Hope retreat organized by Saint Luke’s Hospital Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer for individuals living with advanced breast cancer. Witnessing the retreat’s impact on patients’ emotional and spiritual well-being has been a defining highlight of her career. Experiences like these have reinforced Emily’s commitment to patient care and her belief in the power of early detection. “Breast cancer is a very prevalent disease in our world, and the earlier it’s detected, the sooner we can provide interventions,” Emily said. “I want to encourage everyone to prioritize their health and make time for their screenings. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.” Emily’s dedication and compassion make a difference in the lives of her patients every single day. This #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, we honor her and all the amazing caregivers who provide hope, support, and guidance to those navigating treatment and recovery. #TeamSaintLukes 🩷

Artificial intelligence (AI) can make work faster and more efficient, even for your doctor. Dr. Carl Dirks, an internal medicine physician at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, believes the new tools can help reduce clinician burnout. The number of doctors using AI in their work is rapidly growing, particularly for note-taking. Philip Payne, Chief Health AI Officer of BJC HealthCare, says it restores human connection and allows physicians to focus more on patient care. See the full story in Business Insider: https://heyor.ca/0e5r94

The FDA recently approved two new drugs this year for treating metastatic breast cancer. The new drugs are designed to kill more cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, resulting in fewer side effects—options that weren't available even just five years ago. Dr. Timothy Pluard, medical director of Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, says this is a time to be very hopeful. Hear the details from him on Health News You Can Use.

In the Surgery Department at Saint Luke's Hedrick Medical Center and Wright Memorial Hospital, Nikki ensures her patients receive superior care from pre-op to discharge. “I feel like I am contributing to an organization that excels in providing the best possible care outcomes and experiences for patients while ensuring staff and patients are safe,” Nikki said. Nikki is motivated by the impact she can make on teammates and patients each day. “It truly doesn’t feel like I am coming to work because of how great it is to be with my team, even on the most chaotic days,” she said. The personalized, high-quality care Nikki provides is one of the many reasons Hedrick Medical Center has earned a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “We are blessed to have access to a health care organization that provides such exceptional care in our rural community,” Nikki said. #TeamSaintLukes 💙

After more than 46 years of heartfelt care that touched thousands of lives, Shawna (center 👑) is starting her next adventure in retirement. Shawna spent her entire career with Saint Luke’s and worked in a variety of areas before becoming a nurse. She started as a patient transporter and then became a certified nursing assistant while attending nursing school. As a registered nurse, Shawna worked in the medical intermediate cardiac care unit for 25 years. She then spent time in the post-anesthesia care unit, the gastrointestinal lab, Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, and has been in the cardiovascular prep and recovery unit for the last 15 years. To say that Shawna is dedicated is an understatement. Her patients were always her sole focus. Her coworkers describe her as smart, thoughtful, and witty. She is an excellent role model, leader, and communicator. Shawna received countless praises from patients throughout the years and earned multiple recognitions. She has truly been a gift to our hospital and the epitome of an ideal nurse. Thank you, Shawna, for your incredible tenure and commitment to your profession, patients, and peers. You are a treasure that will be deeply missed. 💙

🚨 Important Announcement: The Steven R. Hall, MD, Trauma Symposium will now be a virtual event. It was previously scheduled to be held in Lake Ozark, MO. The two-day conference, Oct. 28-29, is hosted by Saint Luke's, BJC HealthCare, Cox Health, and MU Health, and will present a unique opportunity for level one trauma hospitals from across the region to learn about new life-saving protocols for their communities. Register now: https://heyor.ca/w3ARmj

Why are more women under 50 being diagnosed with breast cancer? Dr. Mary Mitchell, chief of Breast Radiology at Saint Luke’s, sheds light on this concerning trend and how women can know their risk of breast cancer at younger ages. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

The electrophysiology team at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute recently hosted an enlightening atrial fibrillation (a-fib) awareness event that drew more than 70 patients and their families. The event featured expert talks by Dr. Daniel Steinhaus and Dr. Jose Aguilera Heredia, both cardiologists and electrophysiologists. They discussed effective management strategies, innovative treatments, and everyday health practices designed to improve outcomes and well-being amidst a-fib challenges. We are proud to support individuals living with a-fib through community-focused initiatives at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute.