As we continue to honor the incredible dedication and skills of our talented and compassionate Navvisa certified oncology nurses during National Oncology Nursing Month, we wish to spotlight Kim Garlinghouse, MPH, RN.
MEET KIM GARLINGHOUSE
Kim Garlinghouse, MPH, RN has been a nurse for 35 years and an oncology nurse navigator for the most recent 10 of those years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree from Vanderbilt University and her Masters of Public Health-Health Advocacy from Johns Hopkins University. Kim focuses on helping patients achieve their best quality of life through guidance that is knowledgeable, compassionate, and authentic. She has been instrumental in helping to co-create Navvisa’s expert cancer care navigation process, focused on helping patients achieve their best quality of life through guidance that is knowledgeable, compassionate, and authentic. Designed the work flow and client engagement that is offered as a Employee Assistance Program, providing employees and their families with concierge-style 1:1 support around each cancer diagnosis.
What aspect of oncology nursing does Kim find most interesting?
Kim is most passionate about palliative care. As Kim shared,
“Palliative care is of particular interest because I think that care should always focus on quality of life and the opportunity to personalize treatment decisions to align with patient and family goals.”
What draws Kim to oncology nursing?
Kim was drawn to oncology nursing because she always saw cancer navigation as an area in which people are particularly vulnerable, thus creating an opportunity for her to not only support the patient, but also their whole family on what is often a long journey. Additionally, Kim is also a cancer survivor herself which allows her to understand her patients on an even deeper level. She explained,
“Patients have shared with me that they feel seen and heard by me since I can truly relate to many of their experiences. “
And what is a “fun fact” many people might not know?
Kim is a two time cancer survivor. As a nurse and patient herself, she has a broad perspective on the cancer experience from diagnosis, through treatment, and into survival.
