Balancing Scientific Rigor With Empathy in Cancer Care

Karen Driskill, M.S., RN, is an exceptional leader and is passionate about increasing cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) awareness as a nurse and caregiver.

Although she has always been driven to excel, Karen’s purpose became more focused after her mother-in-law passed away from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in 2010. She earned advanced degrees as an inpatient oncology nurse and heightened her knowledge and expertise of cholangiocarcinoma by becoming certified in hospice and palliative care.

She began volunteering with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in 2012 as a research advocate and has most recently served as co-chair for the foundation’s Nursing Advisory Board.

She has rendered compassionate service with a notable balance between scientific rigor and empathy. This is exemplified by her contribution to the Clinical Nursing Practice Guidelines for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. She was vital to achieving the goal of advancing the scientific knowledge of the symptom experience and quality of life of patients detailed in the following documents:

• Care of the patient with external biliary drains and internal bile duct stents
• Care of the patient with intractable nausea and vomiting
• Care of the patient with fatigue
• Care of the patient on weekly gemcitabine and cisplatin
• Care of the patient receiving photon radiation
• Care of the patient receiving protons on a clinical trial

Karen is more than deserving of the Extraordinary Healer® Award. Not only is she dedicated to nursing, but she also is a loving mother and wife. She makes every individual around her a better person.

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