Colon Cancer Patient Shares Story to Encourage Screenings
Tiffany Mullison, a foster care worker in Lincoln, had her first colonoscopy at 54. The results came back abnormal, which led to a colon resection. Thankfully, her colorectal cancer was found early, and she needed no additional treatment. Follow-up colonoscopies have cleared her for the next two years.
Tiffany shared her story to raise awareness for colon cancer. Admittedly, she didn’t realize the screening guidelines had changed to encourage earlier detection. Tiffany also wants to decrease the stigma surrounding colon cancer, saying she struggled to tell people about her diagnosis because she felt embarrassed.
“There’s no pink ribbon for colon cancer,” she said. “People aren’t embarrassed to get a mammogram, so why should they be ashamed to get a colonoscopy? Today, I’m talking with all my friends and encouraging them to get screened. I’m even driving them to their appointments!”
SPRING 2025
Start Colorectal Cancer Screening at 45
Regular screenings, recommended to begin at age 45, are key to prevention or early discovery. Colonoscopies, along with other at-home tests, can help prevent up to 80% of all colon cancer deaths.
Oncology Nurse Navigator Support
After a cancer diagnosis, support is essential. That’s where oncology navigators come in. Care navigators are specially trained nurses and social workers who help patients through each step of cancer care. They provide information, answer questions, coordinate appointments and give support.
“No one wants to hear that they have cancer,” said Jill Geschke, the Bryan oncology nurse navigator who worked with Tiffany. “Having support from a navigator to get through both the physical struggles and emotional challenges after receiving the news is really important.”
Jill specializes in gynecologic and gastrointestinal cancers. She provided support and guidance to Tiffany before and after her surgery and throughout her treatment. Jill was particularly helpful to Tiffany when she interpreted test results and recommended reputable websites and podcasts for personal research.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in Nebraska, behind breast, prostate and lung. Over 940 new cases will be diagnosed in Nebraska this year, and rates are increasing in people under age 50.
Learn more at: BryanHealth.org/ColonCancer
Jill Geschke, RN, OCN®
Tiffany Mullison and Jill Geschke
April Sampson Cancer Center Earns 2025 Healthcare Environment Award
The April Sampson Cancer Center has been named a recipient of the 2025 Healthcare Environment Award by the Center for Health Design, recognizing healthcare facilities that implement standards of design to improve patient outcomes.
The facility was designed by Ballinger, a multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the home of Cancer Partners of Nebraska and Bryan Medical Center imaging and cancer support programs.
“It’s very meaningful to receive this recognition because a healing environment was at the forefront in designing this facility. From the very beginning, listening to patient feedback was at the heart of our efforts,” said Stephanie Boldt, Bryan Health system vice president for physician partnerships and facility services.
The Healthcare Environment Awards celebrate exemplary healthcare design that improves safety, enhances experiences, increases organizational efficiency and improves outcomes. The program is administered by the Center for Health Design, a nonprofit organization advancing an evidence-based design process to improve health care. Recipients were selected by a jury of academics, designers, executives, patient and family advisers, and researchers.
While the April Sampson Cancer Center is a place for people to go when they are very sick, the attention to detail in this building has made it a place that also feels of hope and healing,” said Gina Boe, a patient undergoing treatment at the facility. “I’m so thankful this is a space where I look forward to visiting and the aesthetic surroundings remind us there is beauty in suffering.
“Every detail at the April Sampson Cancer Center was shaped with patient insights in mind,” said Dr. Steven Dunder, medical oncologist, Cancer Partners of Nebraska. “It is architecturally stunning but also deeply functional for our physicians and comforting and intuitive for the patients who walk through its doors.”
The April Sampson Cancer Center blends with its natural surroundings, embracing the site’s meadows, woods and water features. Inside, warm and inviting interiors foster a healing environment that nurtures the well-being of patients, caregivers and visitors while meeting rigorous clinical and operational demands.
Photos: © Albert VecerkaEsto for Ballinger
Staff Spotlight – Carmen Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator
Carmen McKathnie is a breast oncology navigator with the Bryan Cancer Program. While she specializes in providing support to breast cancer patients, she follows patients with other types of cancer as well.
Carmen has been a registered nurse for 23 years, with 17 of those in oncology. She has worked in her current role 10 years and is an oncology certified nurse (OCN). She strongly encourages providers to refer patients to an oncology nurse navigator.
McKathnie, OCN, BSN, RN
“We are here to walk alongside patients every step of the way, offering personalized support, access to valuable resources and ongoing encouragement,” Carmen said.
“We can help lighten their load during this challenging time by addressing questions, easing concerns, removing barriers to care and providing the support they need throughout their cancer journey.”
Carmen stays busy with her children’s activities including baseball, roller derby and band.
Learn more about nurse navigation at BryanHealth.org/ CancerNurseNavigators or call 402-481-7900.
Donor Corner
We are grateful for generous donors in our community, such as Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation, who supported the Pollinator Garden.
The Kimmel Foundation chose to support the April Sampson Cancer Center because of the need for it in our community and southeast Nebraska. It is a privilege to be a part of this project that provides a variety of services to those dealing with cancer in a comfortable environment, surrounded by the beauty of natur e.
— Len Weyeneth, President
Learn more: Call the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605 or visit AprilSampsonCancerCenter.org/Give for more information on giving opportunities.
Low-Dose Radiation Therapy Offers Help Beyond Cancer
For years, LuAnn has battled osteoarthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease that causes joint pain and stiffness, and diminishes quality of life. LuAnn, an avid walker, found her knee pain increasingly debilitating, preventing her from enjoying long walks.
Looking for relief, LuAnn consulted her rheumatologist, who introduced her to low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT), a non-surgical option, and referred her to Joseph Kam Chiu, MD, radiation oncologist at Cancer Partners of Nebraska.
LDRT administers small doses of radiation to the affected joints to modify the inflammatory process and alleviate pain. Patients can have symptom improvement – pain, strength and range of motion – at the end of the treatment course, although some patients experience further improvement up to two months after radiation treatment has been completed.
After her fifth session, LuAnn noticed significant improvement in her mobility. The knee pain started to diminish, allowing her to gradually increase the duration and frequency of her walks. A year later, she remains free from joint pain and is considering undergoing the same therapy for her hips.
This non-invasive treatment also can help patients with:
• Osteoarthritis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tendinopathy
• Trochanteric bursitis
• Dupuytren’s contracture
“There are no side effects from this treatment, such as skin irritation. It does not exclude the patients from future surgical options,” said Dr. Chiu. “It is gratifying to see patients having significant improvement of their quality of life.”
Radiation therapy is provided at the April Sampson Cancer Center for oncology and general medical uses.
For more information, contact Cancer Partners at 402-420-7000.
Carmen
April Sampson Cancer Center
4101 Tiger Lily Rd. Lincoln, NE 68516
Address Service Requested
Cancer News
Stay informed with the latest comprehensive cancer care updates View online & previous issues: BryanHealth.org/CancerNewsletter
New Face at April Sampson Cancer Center
Kathryn Kennedy, MD, FACOG Gynecologic Oncology Surgeon
• Medical School – UMass Chan, Worcester, Massachusetts
• Residency in obstetrics and gynecology –Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Fellowship in gynecologic oncology –University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
Acupuncturist Earns Credentials for VA
Betsy DeGrandi, acupuncturist with Bryan Medical Center – The Spa at April Sampson Cancer Center, is now credentialed as a community care outsource provider for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Betsy is able to see patients quickly to meet their needs.
Acupuncture can help with:
• Anxiety and depression
• PTSD
• Post-surgical recovery
• Pain (acute, chronic, auto-immune, degenerative)
• Cancer treatment-related symptoms (neuropathy, nausea, hormonal imbalance, emotional fatigue)
• Insomnia
Send referrals through Epic or by fax: 402-481-4529
Brain Tumor Breakthroughs & Treatment Today
In this podcast, Chris Hawkins, DO, talks about brain tumor symptoms, diagnosis and the latest advances in neurosurgery and treatment.
Community Resource Center
Behind the café at the April Sampson Cancer Center is a free resource center for the public. A volunteer is there to help people find what they need, including:
• A computer to look up reliable cancer information
• Information on different types of cancer
• Support programs
• Healthy cookbooks and recipes
• Survivorship info
• Kids’ activities
The Resource Center is open to the public, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Betsy DeGrandi, acupuncturist