CURE magazine honors Via Christi oncology nurse

Kristen Mitchell, RN, who serves at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, is among the nominees
for CURE magazine’s 2023 Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing.

Each year, CURE gives readers the opportunity to honor an oncology nurse by submitting essays
describing their compassion, expertise and helpfulness. Nominations are collected from colleagues,
patients, friends and family of nurses throughout the country.

Mitchell’s nomination was submitted by her coworker and fellow Oncology nurse Marcus Yoakam, RN.

“Kristen is the epitome of what every oncology nurse should strive to be,” Yoakam wrote. “I have met and
interacted with a countless number of nurses, but Kristen stands out a head above the rest.

“She is always there to help and actively goes out of her way to help everyone. In addition to being
incredibly helpful, her clinical skills are second to none. It’s a great comfort to know that we have such a
reliable and competent colleague like Kristen.”

Mitchell, who has been with the hospital since 2008, spends her days caring for patients in the Cancer
Center. She starts by getting everything ready for that day’s chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood
transfusion, IVIG and iron treatments. She says her favorite part of the job is making her patients smile
and being able to spoil them while in her care by being a listening ear, bringing a warm blanket, providing
nutrition, or bringing a warm cup of coffee.

“I do this type of work because I honestly believe it was my calling, especially when it comes to oncology,”
says Mitchell. “I’m truly honored to have been nominated for this award.”

The winner will be announced on Apr. 6 in San Antonio during the Oncology Nursing Society’s annual
Congress.

For more information on the award, visit event.curetoday.com.

To learn more about cancer services at Ascension Via Christi, visit ascension.org/pittsburgKS.