Conversations with Kate Poppert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Poppert

Hi Kate, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been an Oncology nurse for over 20 years and have witnessed firsthand the frustration and anxiety of facing a variety of challenges surrounding a cancer diagnosis for both the patient and caregiver. After spending a few years working in philanthropy outside the hospital, I had the tools and connections necessary to begin my own foundation that I could run entirely with volunteers and minimal overhead expenses as an adjunct to working full time as a charge nurse, allowing me to make a large impact without the added stress of salaries and recurring costs.
One of the most obvious deficits for patients is their loss of control over day to day schedules so it was important to me that they be given the opportunity to choose for themselves what kind of help would be most valuable. To date, we have created 9 programs that patients and caregivers select from during their treatments. There is also no time limit to our programs so we are able to continue to help patients and families through relapses or long term side effects. While the gift cards and items we give are appreciated, our personal time and attention continue to have the biggest impact through laundry services to those from out of state to bedside visits to social gatherings outside the hospital, our volunteers ensure those we serve know that they are not alone.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
For the most part it has been smooth! The biggest obstacle was COVID-19f but since we have direct connections with hospital staff, we were able to escalate our services and continue to bring them bedside to patients during an extremely difficult isolation period.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a charge nurse in a busy outpatient cancer infusion center that specializes in Malignant Hematology and Cellular Therapies, it is exciting to be a part of many new clinical trials including Allo, Auto and CAR-T transplants. I am grateful to not only be able to assist those affected day to day as an RN but to be able to meet some unmet needs when I change out of scrubs through my Small Choices Foundation. I have been honored to be the recipient of the Luminary Nurse Nightingale Award, the Daisy Award, and several department recognitions for my service to patients above and beyond my nursing career.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
While many nurses face burnout from witnessing the distress and tragedy involved in cancer care, I have found that having the ability to impact lives through the foundation versus compartmentalizing my work and home life has allowed me to gain a sense of control and purpose beyond bedside nursing, which keeps me motivated day to day. There’s simply always something more you can do to help!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smallchoicesfoundation.org