MidState Medical Center is pleased to announce that the Cancer Center’s Kathy Clements, RN, MS, OCN, has been selected as a winner of the Connecticut Hospital Association’s 2008 Healthcare Heroes Essay Contest. The theme for this year was “Celebrating 90 Years: Helping Hospitals Care for Communities.” Abbi Bruce, RN, Director of the Cancer Center, nominated Kathy for her invaluable contributions to the healthcare field and to the community at large.

In addition to noting Kathy’s involvement with many of the Cancer Center’s programs and support groups and her strong relationship with Susan G. Komen For the Cure, Abbi also noted in her submission Kathy’s active leadership as a “patient navigator:”

She assists patients and their families through the system as they make appointments for consults, tests, surgery, and treatment. She is instrumental in being the one who makes sure nothing falls through the cracks—that everyone who needs to be involved is communicated with and results are received in a timely manner. She is available to the patients and families to answer questions, educate about what to expect, and provide ongoing support throughout this overwhelming time. Many patients and families have expressed their gratitude for Kathy’s support and guidance during their diagnosis and treatment, and she has become an invaluable asset to the success of our program. We are very fortunate to have Kathy on our team, and for me she exemplifies a “Healthcare Hero!”

Kathy Clements is one of 10 healthcare workers selected by the Connecticut Hospital Association as a 2008 “Healthcare Hero.”