Leukemia Research Foundation Selects 2013 Nurse of the Year

Katherine Breitenbach, RN, MSN, APN, NP-C from the University of Chicago Medical Center has been selected as the 2013 Nurse of the Year by the Wilmette-based Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF).

Kate Breitenbach, a resident of Chicago, has been a nursing professional for seven years. She is a Nurse Practitioner in the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the University of Chicago Medical Center.  She was nominated by two of her colleagues.

Former LRF Nurse of the Year Carol White wrote:

“There are numerous examples of Kate’s concern for her patients, but one that comes to mind is a situation with a patient who had relapsed and was now in Hospice. His wife had passed away a few years before his diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and he didn’t have many close family members. He called Kate late on a Friday afternoon as he was alone and felt the end was near but was too sick to try and reach the Hospice nurse. Kate stayed in her office until well after 9 p.m. when she was sure that the Hospice nurse was there with him at the end of his life. This is just one of many examples of how Kate goes above and beyond, the hallmark of an outstanding hematology nurse.”

Dr. Wendy Stock, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Leukemia Program at the University of Chicago Medical Center submitted:

“With Kate’s help, we have set up a new adolescent and young adult (AYA) hematological malignancy clinic here at the University of Chicago. The AYA population is a uniquely challenging one – young adults are in a transitional time in their lives that makes coping with a diagnosis like leukemia so particularly difficult. Kate’s patient, ‘tuned-in’ warmth and understanding has helped to make out patients feel secure and more compliant. . . . We are beginning to achieve national attention for our model of care and Kate is largely responsible for this successful beginning.”

The Nurse of the Year Award, presented by the LRF annually since 1996, was created to recognize hematology-oncology nurses who give their time, compassion, and heart each and every day.

“Hematology/oncology nurses care for blood cancer patients. These nurses are true heroes,” said Linda Kabot, the Leukemia Research Foundation’s Director of Programs and Research Grants Administrator.

“The LRF recognizes their hard work and dedication each year with the Nurse of the Year Award.  These extraordinary nurses are devoted to providing the highest standard of care to patients and families. Often, that care extends beyond their physical health, to include emotional support and long term follow-up treatment,” Kabot said.

Nominations from hospitals throughout Illinois and parts of Wisconsin and Indiana are submitted annually by patients and families touched by blood cancers, as well colleagues and coworkers.  The Leukemia Research Foundation recognizes that for patients and families facing these life-threatening diseases, hematology/oncology nurses play a vital role in ensuring their medical care and physical comfort, as well as meeting their needs for information and emotional support.

For more information on the Leukemia Research Foundation’s Nurse of the Year program contact Linda Kabot, at 847-424-0600 or Linda@LRFmail.org.

About The Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF)

The Leukemia Research Foundation, headquartered in Wilmette, Ill., is dedicated to funding research and providing support to people affected by blood cancers. The Foundation’s mission is to conquer leukemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndromes by funding research into their causes and cures, and to enrich the quality of life of those touched by these diseases.  For 67 years, thousands of volunteers and 25 chapters have helped the Foundation raise more than $56 million to help fund research specifically targeting aspiring, eager, and innovative scientists and physicians around the world, provide patient financial assistance, and offer educational and emotional support for patients and their families.